the riches



of the wisdom ... of God! Rom. 11:33

A Sabbath

School Visitor

Speaks Out:

Didn't Know What

They Were Talkin

About

"The lesson study class I visited was des

couraging to me. I'd never studied th

topic the members were all discussing s,

intelligently. But I know that as a neN

Christian it's important for me to be leans

ing. Isn't there a Sabbath School class tha

better fits my personal spiritual needs?"

Can Your Answer be a Positive

Understanding

“

yes

” ?

Not everyone has studied the Lesso

Quarterly. Not everyone should! For vis

itors and new Christians the better answ(

is Profiles of Faith.

Beautifully illustrated and clearly wri

ten, the Profiles of Faith series focuses o

the basics of Christian life. A Profiles

Faith class doesn't require previous stud

or expect vast Bible knowledge.

Make certain your Sabbath School vis

itors and new Christians gain spiritual ur

derstanding from your lesson study. Pr(

files of Faith is designed specifically t

meet their needs.

Profiles of Faith materials includ

Teacher's Guides and implementatio

suggestions. Ask your pastor for full (1(

tails.

r.azizi•

Presdent WALTER RL.SCRAGG Secretary JAN PAULSEN Treasurer JOHN MUDERSPACH

NORTHERN EUROPEAN DIVISION

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

119 ST. PETER'S STREET, ST. ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND. ALI 3EY

Telephone: ST. ALBANS 60331 Telegrams/Cables: 'ADVENTIST ST. ALBANS' Telex: 262284 Ref: 1720

[y Brothers and Sisters:

t doesn't seem so long ago that I wrote you about projects in our Division.

/e asked your help for our schools in Sweden, Britain and West Africa.

ank you for the record offering you gave. The projects in Sweden and Africa

Ire completed and the one in Britain, nearly so. Without your help we could

Lot have advanced the way we have.

'his quarter we have three new Special Projects for which we ask your support.

'hey are:

An evangelistic centre in Skoczow, Poland. Our church in Poland

has many needs and opportunities. A climate of liberty and good-

will has enabled us to establish strong local churches. This

centre will provide a place where the message we share can be

presented to large audiences.

Rebuilding of Toivonlinnan Junior College, Finland. Two old

buildings desperately needing replacement, and the threat of

closure because of safety requirements makes a new dormitory

and dining block an urgent priority.

A child evangelism centre in Tromso, North Norway. With its

nightless summers and dayless winters, North Norway provokes

unique challenges in child evangelism. We hope to meet them in

the largest city in North Norway with a centre which will pro-

vide for Vacation Bible Schools, Bible Story Hours, Pathfinder

clubs and a day school. These will be missionary projects for

the children of the city and will give us access to large num-

bers of non-Adventist families.

or Northern Europe we plead for your prayers that God's Spirit will be poured

n the 45,000 members in these countries. The challenges are great; the

pportunities are many. Your intercession will lift us toward a finished work.

hank you for what you have done and will do.

our brother in the Lord,

alter R. L. Scragg ----""

resident

1--AL-4431

THE COVENANT SERIES

Since the first quarter of 1975 the Sabbath Schools of the world

have been studying the Daybreak Series of lessons built around, and

growing out of the three angels' messages of Revelation 14. Begin-

ning with the first quarter, 1982, and for the next five years or so, the

Sabbath Schools will be studying various aspects of God's cove-

nants with humankind.

We are not deeply concerned if our Sabbath School members are

not conscious from week to week or from quarter to quarter that the

lessons are following a particular theme. It is primarily a satisfaction

to the writers and editors of the lessons to know that a degree of

balance and proportion may be better obtained within a curriculum

than by haphazard selection of topics for study.

It goes without saying that when the work of 20 different writers is

projected over a five-year period, there may be some unavoidable

changes—or switches at least—in the order of the lessons, and

some may not actually appear at all. Sickness, accident, or other

hindrances can come to all, even to writers and editors!

But the lessons have been planned under four main areas of study

that cover the benefits of God's covenants of grace:

The Inward Law

The Revelation of God and His People

The Knowledge of God

The Forgiveness of Sin

It is not planned that we should study all of one area before

moving to the next. Rather, there will be cycles of studies running

across the four main areas. And, as we said above, sometimes we

have to break the ideal order of subjects because we cannot keep

the world field without any lessons while we wrestle with the de-

mands of deadlines, reading committees, translating and printing

schedules. Even the wonderful mail services of the world are faced

with growing difficulties. Manuscripts get delayed beyond dead-

lines, and even lost.

(:::::::

DAYBREAK 6Z\ SERIES

Adult Sabbath School Lessons (USPS 702-480) / No. 346 / October-December, 1981

Contens

1. Our Great High Priest

2. Judgment and the Judge

Recall to Worship

The King Is Coming

"Thy Kingdom Come"

All Things New

Christianity and Health

Spiritual Gifts

Christian Stewardship

10.

The Church

11.

Symbols for Saints

12.

Christian Witness

13.

The Life That Counts

The Adult Sabbath School Lessons are prepared by the Sabbath School Department

of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the lessons

is directed by a worldwide Sabbath School Lesson Committee, the members of which

serve as consulting editors.

Editorial Office: 6840 Eastern Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20012

Lesson Author: Bernard E. Seton

Editor: Gordon M. Hyde

Editorial Secretary: Florence L. Wetmore

Circulation Manager: Gary D. Grimes

Art and Design: Pacific Press

Scripture references other than from the King James Version used in this quarterly are as follows:

NEB. From

The New English Bible,

of the Cambridge University Press 1961 and 1970. Used by permission of Cambridge University Press, New York

City.

RSV. From the

Revised Standard Version Bible,

Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by

permission.

1976; New

Testament

Braille lessons available. See page 112.

Adult Sabbath School Lessons (standard edition). Published quarterly by Pacific

Press Publishing Association, 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94042,

U.S.A. One year subscription in U.S.A., $2.40, single copy, 60 cents. One year sub-

scription to countries outside U.S.A., $3.20; single copy, 80 cents. All prices at U.S.A.

exchange. Second-class postage paid at Mountain View, California 94042, U.S.A.

When a change of address is desired, please send both old and new addresses.

Plug into real power—God's Word.

Only as we have a living connection with God

will we be able to remain calm and stable in

these days of perplexity and confusion.

A daily study of His Word will keep the power

flowing.

THIS WE BELIEVE

Studies in Christian Doctrine: Part II

Introduction

Although this quarter sees us continuing our study of Bible doctrines as taught by

Seventh-day Adventists, we must not rest content with the previous quarter's ap-

proach or any blessing received from it. "Time, like an ever-rolling stream," has

borne some details of those studies away, and we now need a fresh approach and

brand-new blessings for the thirteen studies that lie ahead.

A glance at the topics that await our attention reveals that Christ our Saviour

broods over them all as High Priest, Judge, Returning Lord, Master Physician, Head

of the Church, Servant and Sacrifice, Chief Witness, and Great Exemplar. This is as it

should be, for without Him in the central position our doctrines cannot be Christian.

With Him at their center, their reliability and efficacy are assured.

Each lesson is firmly based on Scripture, the source of all true doctrine. Many of

those scriptures are well known; others may have received relatively little use. But

they will all beir intensive study, especially when seen from a slightly different angle

than that used in the past. Teachers and class members are therefore urged to study

the Word as deeply as possible. The Word "is quick [or, living], and powerful, and

sharper than any twoedged sword, ... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of

the heart" (Heb. 4:12). Let us, then, daily study that Word, that God may reveal to us

the purpose He had in.mind in having those particular passages included in the Bible.

Classes where the Word is intensively studied will find sound religious instruction,

spiritual life, and inspiration for daily living.

The Word is the mine from which doctrines are dug. The doctrines have ever been

in the Word, embedded in it as gems and minerals are contained in rocks and soil. No

true doctrine is of human devising; it is inherent in Holy Writ, there to be quarried by

those who search the Scriptures to discover revelations of God's character and His

ways. These, when found, are formed into shapes more readily understood and

retained by His children. We should therefore not see doctrines as ready-made

declarations of belief that spare us further mental and spiritual exercise. We need

them in portable form for convenience and as a means of expressing our beliefs to

others that they may know the substance of our faith. But each belief is infinitely

richer than its summary form. Indeed, to change the figure, the formal doctrine may

be little more than a label to list the contents of the treasure chest of truth. It is for us to

lift the lid and discover the wealth of revelation that lies within.

These illustrations explain why a series of Sabbath School lessons on Christian

doctrine does not attempt to formulate those doctrines. That duty is done in the

Church Manual

presentation of the "Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Advent-

ists." (Much time, before and at the General Conference Session in Dallas, was

devoted to their careful revision.) At home and in Sabbath School we need to explore

beyond the formal statements and to discover both the principles that underlie the

doctrines and those that grow out of our beliefs.

At one stage in church history it was said that Christians were divided into two

classes—those who did not think at all, and those who did nothing but think. Let us

form a third class—those who think sensibly about their religion, who know the

scriptural foundations on which faith rests, who are able to give a thoughtful answer

to every man that asks a reason of the hope that is within us, and who can bring the

doctrines of the church into practical application in the daily life, declaring with

confidence, "This We Believe."

'1714,1) Y



•nt

LESSON 1 September 27-October 3

"Wherefore, holy brethren, par-

akers of the heavenly calling, con-

der the Apostle and High Priest of

air profession, Christ Jesus" (Heb.

:1).

The wilderness tabernacle, as a

ripe,ives human beings a faint

Jea

T the heavenly sanctuary, or

where Father, Son, and

loly Spirit reign in eternal splen-

or. The doctrine has its roots in

ie Old Testament, but it becomes

itensely relevant for present-day

;hristians through New Testament

evelation, particularly in the Epis-

e to the Hebrews. This unique

ook concentrates on portraying

;hrist as the divine-human High

Hest who mediates the benefits of

lis own self-sacrifice for mankind,

thich is lost without such ministry.

Our personal acquaintance with

nd relationship to our great High

Nfigh [Mala

Priest is vital to our salvation. This

lesson, therefore, assumes that

Sabbath School members possess a

basic knowledge of the earthly

sanctuary and its services and

spends two thirds of the week in

study of Him around whom all

sanctuary services revolve. If ex-

planation is needed for this em-

phasis, it is found in the week's

memory verse, which bids us

"consider" or "contemplate" or

"fix the mind on" Christ Jesus. He

is "the Apostle and High Priest of

our profession" or "confession"—

that is, our religion. There can be

no more Christ-centered study

than that! May its pursuit enable us

to "see Jesus, . . . crowned with

glory and honour" (Heb. 2:9).

In no sense is this only an

academic study. A more spiritual

(that is, related to the Spirit) and

personal topic would be hard to

choose. If we wish, it will daily re-

mind us to look up and see our In-

tercessor ministering on our behalf

before the Almighty, who ap-

pointed Him to that merciful work.

Those who wish to refresh their

minds concerning this heavenly re-

ality can hardly do better than to

make the Epistle to the Hebrews

their

Further Study

for this week.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Tabernacle and Temple

(Ex. 25:8, 9)

The Priest's Office

(Ex. 28:1)

The Perfect Priest

(Heb. 8:1, 2)

"Like Unto His Brethren"

(Heb. 2:17)

Our Intercessor

(Heb. 9:24)

The Believer's Response

(Heb. 4:16)

Our Great High Priest

LESSON 1



❑

Sunday

September 27



Part 1



As the Lord prepared Israel for entrance into the Promised

TABERNACLE Land, how did He meet the nation's need for a center to its

AND TEMPLE religious life?

"Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among

them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the

tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof,

even so shall ye make it" (Ex. 25:8,9).

God knew that His wandering people needed a focal point for

worship. In the desert a permanent building was neither desir-

able nor practicable. A traveling people needed a portable shrine

that could be constructed from available materials and be made

the center of every campsite. The need was met by the tent, or

tabernacle, or sanctuary.

We do not here intend to conduct an historical study of the

erection of either the temporary or permanent buildings. We

would rather note the divine intention in planning their con-

struction. This is clearly stated in today's text: "Let them make

me a sanctuary;

that / may dwell among them."

God, as a loving

Father as well as an awe-inspiring Deity, ever wants to be per-

sonally in the midst of His people. This presents no problem for

the Omnipresent One but calls for a localized sense of God for

the benefit of His children, who need a specific center where

they can meet their Lord, offer their adoration and gifts, obtain

pardon and spiritual renewal, and receive His guidance for all

aspects of their group and personal lives. The sanctuary, or

temple, fills that multiple need and gives them the assurance of

God's willingness to dwell in their midst. (See Lev. 26:11, 12.)

What did the tabernacle and temples faintly represent?

Heb. 9:11, 12, 14. (Compare Heb. 8:1, 2.)

"The heavenly temple, the abiding place of the King of kings,

where 'thousand thousands minister unto Him, and ten

thousand times ten thousand stood before Him,' ... that temple

filled with the glory of the eternal throne, where seraphim, its

shining guardians, veil their faces in adoration—no earthly

structure could represent its vastness and its glory. Yet impor-

tant truths concerning the heavenly sanctuary and the great

work there carried forward for man's redemption were to be

taught by the earthly sanctuary and its

services."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

p. 357.



THINK IT THROUGH



When I go to church, do I lift up my spiritual eyes to the true

tabernacle and see there my Lord in glory?



FURTHER STUDY



S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7, "Additional

Note on [He-

brews] Chapter 10," pp. 467-469

Our Great High Priest

LESSON 1



❑

Monday

September 28

Part 2

THE PRIEST'S

OFFICE

Upon whom did God place responsibility for the services of

the tabernacle? For what reasons?

"Take unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him,

from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto

me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu,

Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons" (Ex. 28:1).

"By divine direction the tribe of Levi was set apart for the

service of the sanctuary. In the earliest times every man was the

priest of his own household. In the days of Abraham the priest-

hood was regarded as the birthright of the eldest son. Now,

instead of the first-born of all Israel, the Lord accepted the tribe

of Levi for the work of the sanctuary. By this signal honor He

manifested His approval of their fidelity, both in adhering to His

service and in executing His judgments when Israel apostatized

in the worship of the golden calf. The priesthood, however, was

restricted to the family of Aaron. Aaron and his sons alone were

permitted to minister before the

Lord."—Patriarchs and

Prophets,

p. 350.

How were Aaron and his sons consecrated to their holy

office? Ex. 40:13-15; 29:4-9.

Although, as stated above, "in the earliest times every man

was the priest of his own household," the spiritual needs of a

whole people—whose worship was based upon a sanctuary

graced by the presence of the most high God—called for a

centralized system. For such service a consecrated priesthood

was required. Its members ministered on their people's behalf

"in the priest's office." Because of this "everything connected

with the apparel and deportment of the priests was to be such as

to impress the beholder with a sense of the holiness of God, the

sacredness of His worship, and the purity required of those who

came into His

presence."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

p. 351.

From its inauguration to its closure, however, the tabernacle

system of worship was handicapped by the frailty of its priests.

They were as human as the people whom they represented and

reflected their apostasy. In the divine economy, therefore, their

ministry was an interim measure designed to care for Israel's

needs until the sinless, perfect High Priest would appear.



THINK IT THROUGH



In what ways does the ministry of the Christian church fill

the roll that was given to the Levitical priesthood?



FURTHER STUDY



Patriarchs and Prophets,

pp. 350-356

2-AL-4-81

Our Great High Priest

LESSON 1



❑

Tuesday

September 29

Part 3

THE PERFECT

PRIEST

THINK IT THROUGH

What superior alternatives to the wilderness tabernacle

and the Levitical priesthood has God provided for His people?

"We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of

the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the

sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched,

and not man" (Heb. 8:1, 2).

In its earlier chapters the Epistle to the Hebrews has been

depicting Christ as "the Apostle and High Priest" of the Chris-

tian religion (ch. 3:1). In chapter 8 the writer sums up one aspect

of his reasoning by asserting the divine nature of that priest-

hood, seeing our Lord seated at God's right hand—a position

no human priest could ever occupy. The Saviour is also re-

vealed as ministering in "the true tabernacle," that is, thereal or

genuine

one, the heavenly original after which the earthly one

was patterned. (Compare Heb. 8:5 with Ex. 25:40.)

For what principal purpose were human high priests or-

dained or appointed, and what did this require of Christ? Heb.

8:3. (Compare Heb. 5:1-3.)

The Levitical priesthood was instituted because of man's sin

and was largely occupied with the offering of sacrifices for sin.

Christ's priesthood is of a wider nature; for His office is eternal,

and He will still be our High Priest even after sin has been

destroyed. Yet His redemptive role will never be forgotten, and

man's chief reason for gratitude will always be remembrance of

the Saviour's double service in sacrificing Himself and in

mediating that offering by His priestly ministry.

"The Christian world in general is acquainted with Christ as

'the Lamb of God' that 'taketh away the sin of the world' (John

1:29). It is acquainted with Christ as the crucified One, who gave

Himself for us that we might be saved. But not all Christians are

acquainted with Christ as the high priest who ministers His

blood in the sanctuary above. Yet without that ministry the plan

of salvation would be ineffective. In the institution of the Pass-

over in Egypt God commanded the Israelites not simply to slay

the lamb, but to put its blood on the doorposts. . . . So in the

antitype the blood of Christ, our Passover... , is not simply shed,

it is

ministered

for us in heaven above by our great High Priest,

as a vital part of God's plan to save

us."—S.D.A. Bible Commen-

tary, vol.

7, p. 430.

How can I in my daily life show my gratitude for the wonder

of God's planning my salvation through the priestly ministry of

His Son?

FURTHER STUDY



Prophets and Kings,

pp. 681-685

Our Great High Priest

LESSON 1



❑

Wednesday

September 30



Part 4



What was the purpose of the great humiliation that God's

"LIKE UNTO Son voluntarily accepted in His incarnation? What has it done



HIS



for you?

BRETHREN"

"Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto

his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high

priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for

the sins of the people" (Heb. 2:17).

In order to be "a merciful and faithful high priest" and "make

reconciliation for the sins of the people," the Eternal One had to

be "made in the likeness of men" (Phil. 2:7). We cannot realize

what this meant to Him who inhabited eternity, but we should'

understand that this was part of the cost of His high priesthood.

His humanity, however, will also enable Him to "destroy him

that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb. 2:14).

Jesus "made known to the angelic host that a way of escape

had been made for lost man. He told them that He had been

pleading with His Father, and had offered to give His life a

ransom, to take the sentence of death upon Himself, that

through Him man might find pardon; that through the merits of

His blood, and obedience to the law of God, they could have the

favor of God, and be brought into the beautiful garden, and eat

of the fruit of the tree of life."—Early

Writings,

p. 149.

Which of the High Priest's divine-human qualities bring Him

into the most sympathetic touch with His people's daily

needs? Heb. 4:15.

We cannot measure the comfort that comes from knowing

that our High Priest understands all about the temptations that

beset us! Still greater is the assurance of knowing that His

temptation-conquering power may be ours too!

"Those who claim that it was not possible for Christ to sin,

cannot believe that He really took upon Himself human nature.

But was not Christ actually tempted, not only by Satan in the

wilderness, but all through His life, from childhood to man-

hood? In all points He was tempted as we are, and because He

successfully resisted temptation under every form, He gave man

the perfect example, and through the ample provision Christ

has made, we may become partakers of the divine nature, hav-

ing escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."—

Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol.

7, p.

929.



THINK IT THROUGH



How different the Christian life would be if the Trinity had not

planned for Jesus to take on human form and be subject to

such trials as trouble us!



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 24, 25, 117, 122, 123

Our Great High Priest

LESSON 1



Thursday

October 1



Part 5



Where has our ascended High Priest gone, and for what

OUR purpose?

INTERCESSOR

"Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands,

which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to

appear in the presence of God for us" (Heb. 9:24).

Every thoughtful Christian asks, "What is my Master now

doing in heaven?" Our text provides a partial answer to that vital

question. He appears, or presents Himself, "in the presence of"

(literally, "in the face of") God for us, on our behalf, as our

Representative, our Advocate.

"Jesus stands in the holy of holies, now to appear in the

presence of God for us. There He ceases not to present His

people moment by moment, complete in Himself. But because

we are thus represented before the Father, we are not to imag-

ine that we are to presume upon His mercy, and become care-

less, indifferent, and self-indulgent. Christ is not the minister of

sin. We are complete

Him, accepted in the Beloved, only as

we abide in Him by faith."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A.

Bible Commentary, vol.

7, p. 933.

What ministry has engaged the Son since His return to

heaven? Heb. 7:25. (Compare Acts 7:55.)

This verse reveals the continuing nature of Christ's redemp-

tive work. While the cross is at the center of our salvation, our

Saviour's priestly ministry as Intercessor is the means by which

we benefit from the reconciliation provided between ourselves

and God. This does not mean that the Son can do nothing else

but present our repentance and pleas for pardon before the

Father (that would seem to place limitations on the illimitable)

but that our eternal High Priest is ever willing and able to

represent us before God. How precious, then, is this part of our

Redeemer's work!

"The final object of His entrance as high priest and sacrifice

into the eternal heaven is there to appear before God

for us,

presenting on our behalf no exhausted sacrifice, nor one of

transient efficacy or needing repetition, but Himself in his own

person, as an ever-present, ever-living victim and atonement.

And this object is attained at once, and attained for ever."—

Franz Delitzsch,

Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews,

vol.

2, p. 129. (Quoted by M. L. Andreasen,

The Book of Hebrews,

363.)



THINK IT THROUGH



What steps should I take to engage Jesus to appear in the

presence of God on my behalf?



FURTHER STUDY



Study the ninth chapter of Hebrews verse by verse, concen-

trating on the current significance of Christ's high-priestly

ministry in the heavenly sanctuary.

Our Great High Priest

LESSON 1



❑

Friday

October 2



Part 6



In view of our having the Son of God as our great High Priest,



THE



what are we exhorted to do?

BELIEVER'S



RESPONSE



"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that

we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need"

(Heb. 4:16).

The word here rendered "boldly" may also be translated

"with confidence." "The throne of grace" refers to the throne

where grace is dispensed, that is, God's throne, since He is "the

God of all grace" (1 Peter 5:10). There we shall find mercy that

pardons our transgressions and grace to help us overcome sin.

"As an earthly parent encourages his child to come to hitn at all

times, so the Lord encourages us to lay before Him our wants

and perplexities, our gratitude and love. Every promise is sure.

Jesus is our Surety and Mediator, and has placed at our com-

mand every resource, that we may have a perfect character. The

blood of Christ in ever-abiding efficacy is our only hope; for

through His merits alone we have pardon and peace."—Ellen G.

White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, p. 1116.

How may we realize the spiritual benefits provided

Christ's intercession in the heavenly sanctuary? Heb. 10:19-

25.

These verses introduce the closing practical counsels in the

Epistle to the Hebrews. Unless these are heeded and practiced,

our study of Christ's priesthood brings only a mental satisfac-

tion which may be lifeless and even deceptive. Four prerequi-

sites prepare us for entering "into the holiest": (1) a true or

sincere heart; (2) a full faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice; (3) a

penitent's clear conscience; (4) a symbolic cleansing from sin in

baptism (verse 22). These in turn enable us to (1) hold fast our

hope (rather than "faith"); (2) stimulate our fellows in Christian

service; (3) be faithful in communal worship; (4) encourage

fellow members to steadfastness, in view of the second coming

(verses 23-25).

Here we have a divinely endorsed recipe for healthy church

life. We suggest that we consider each suggestion in our per-

sonal study of this lesson at horne and then discuss each point

of apostolic counsel in our Sabbath School class. Such an

exercise may well improve the spiritual health of the church

where we worship. The strength of the church lies in its attend-

ing membership.



THINK IT THROUGH



When we pray, consciously coming to the throne of grace

and seeing Christ as our High

Priest,

what does He do for us?



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 6, pp. 362-368

LESSON 2 October 4-10



irinOM

ind the Judge

"We must all appear before the

judgment seat of Christ; that every

one may receive the things done in

his body, according to that he hath

done, whether it be good or bad"

(2 Cor. 5:10).

Our memory verse comes from a

remarkable chapter that opens

(verses 1-9) with Paul's recognition

of mortality, linked with the hope

of immortality and the need to "be

accepted of him," that is, Christ

(verse 9). This raises the prospect

of having "our lives laid open be-

fore the tribunal of Christ" (verse

10, NEB) and the spiritual condition

that must be met for a confident

appearing before the Judge (verses

10, 14, 17). The passage closes with

the sublime revelation of God's

love manifested

Christ and by

Christ which alone makes possible

our survival of the judgment

(verses 18-21).

Verse ten of this chapter, there-

fore, is not a passing reference to

judgment as a minor event in salva-

tion history, but it highlights an

important aspect of our Lord's re-

demptive ministry and an unavoid-

able milestone on our way to the

kingdom.

Awareness of the importance of

the judgment opens our eyes to

the wealth of scriptural revelation

on the subject. Reminders of the

certainty of judgment and of vari-

ous stages in its realization are

sprinkled throughout both Testa-

ments, with vivid descriptions in

Daniel 7:9-14 and Revelation

20:11-15. The topic occupied a

prominent position in Paul's

thought, and he is led in Romans

14:10 to repeat the core of what he

had already told the Corinthians,

namely, "we shall all stand before

the judgment seat of Christ."

As with all theological knowl-

edge, there is the danger of a for-

mal acceptance of the fact of

judgment without its having a

spiritual effect upon our thought

and conduct. This is one of the

reasons that leads this lesson to

concentrate on the spiritual lessons

to be drawn from the judgment in

preference to the timing of the

event—although one day's study

will deal with the time when we

may appear before our Saviour-

Judge.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Subject to Judgment

(Gen. 1:28)

God and Judgment

(Eccl. 12:13, 14)

Judgment on Earth

(Lev. 6:2-7)

Judgment in Heaven

(Dan. 8:14)

New Testament and Judgment

(Acts 17:30, 31)

Preparation for Judgment

(1 John 2:1)

Judgment and the Judge

LESSON 2



❑

Sunday

October 4

Part 1

SUBJECT TO

JUDGMENT

What were the first recorded responsibilities placed upon

human beings? What blessings were they designed to bring?

"God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and

multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have

dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,

and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth" (Gen.

1:28).

When God created our first parents, He also blessed them

with everything they would need to enjoy the world that lay

before them. At the same time He required certain things of

them. In fact, the duties grew out of God's gifts. They were to

populate the earth; they were to govern it and its creatures. They

were thus called to give account of their stewardship of the

unmarred creation. They were answerable to the Creator for the

fulfillment of what He asked. In other words, they were subject

to judgment from the beginning.

"God placed man under law, as an indispensable condition of

his very existence.... God might have created man without the

power to transgress His law; He might have withheld the hand of

Adam from touching the forbidden fruit; but in that case he

would have been, not a free moral agent, but a mere automaton.

. . There could have been no development of character"—

Patriarchs and Prophets,

p. 49.

When Eve and then Adam disregarded the Creator's direc-

tives, what judgments came upon them? Gen. 3:16-19.

"It was not the will of God that the sinless pair should know

aught of evil. He had freely given them the good, and had

withheld the evil. But, contrary to His command, they had eaten

of the forbidden tree, and now they would continue to eat of

it—they would have the knowledge of evil—all the days of their

life. From that time the race would be afflicted by Satan's

temptations."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

p. 59.

We should not suppose that all the promised wages of sin

were received immediately. They were paid gradually as the

human frame weakened as a result of wrongdoing and as nature

herself was affected by man's and woman's departure from the

Creator's perfect standard. But the most grievious result of

sin—being sent out of Paradise—followed fast upon the heels

of transgression. Sin, when it is finished, always brings death

(James 1:15).

THINK IT THROUGH



Study Genesis 2:8 to 3:24 and assess the need of linking

responsibility and accountability.

Judgment and the Judge

LESSON 2



❑

Monday

October 5

Part 2

GOD AND

JUDGMENT

THINK IT THROUGH

As the preacher concludes his sayings (in Ecclesiastes),

what emphatic counsel does he give his readers?

"Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the

whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judg-

ment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it

be evil" (Eccl. 12:13, 14).

Because God brings everything we do into judgment, the

writer urges us to "fear God, and keep his commandments."

This well summarizes Old Testament theology on conduct in

relation to judgment, not that we shall survive judgment on the

strength of our commandment keeping (this would be salvation

by works), but only through the merits of Jesus. On the other

hand, our reward in the judgment will be related to the delight

we have shown in doing God's will and upholding His stan-

dards. This teaching is related to Christ's own words, "If ye love

me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).

"God discerns the purposes of man and all his works. Every

man will be rewarded according as his works have been,

whether good or

evil."—Testimonies,

vol. 2, pp. 300, 301.

With what attitude does the God-fearer look toward the

Lord's coming in judgment? Ps. 98:9.

The Lord "cometh to judge the earth." This prospect can

bring fear or joy, depending on the spiritual condition of the

beholder. The born-again Christian can warmly welcome the

appearance of the Judge, crying, "This is the Lord; we have

waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation" (Isa.

25:9). At the other end of the scale, he who has rejected Christ

will have rejected his Advocate and will face the prospect of

judgment with shame and fear, knowing his own guilt and

defenselessness.

"Thou Judge of quick and dead,

Before whose bar severe,

With holy joy or guilty dread,

We all shall soon appear—

Our erring souls prepare

For that tremendous day,

And fill us now with watchful care,

And stir us up to pray."

—Charles Wesley,

The New Advent Hymnal,

no. 170.

As I review my thoughts, my words, my actions of the past

week and relate them to the judgment revelations, what steps

do I need to take?

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 4, pp. 384-387

Judgment and the Judge

LESSON 2



❑

Tuesday

October 6

Part 3

JUDGMENT

ON EARTH

By what symbolic process was pardon for sin represented

under the Mosaic law?

"If a soul sin, ... he shall bring his trespass offering unto the

Lord, a ram without blemish out of the flock.... And the priest

shall make an atonement for him before the Lord" (Lev. 6:2-7).

"The most important part of the daily ministration was the

service performed in behalf of individuals. The repentant sinner

brought his offering to the door of the tabernacle, and, placing

his hand upon the victim's head, confessed his sins, thus in

figure transferring them from himself to the innocent sacrifice.

By his own hand the animal was then slain, and the blood was

carried by the priest into the holy place and sprinkled before the

veil, behind which was the ark containing the law that the sinner

had transgressed. . . .

"The sins of Israel being thus transferred to the sanctuary, the

holy places were defiled, and a special work became necessary

for the removal of the

sins."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

pp. 354,

355.

What annual purification was then ordained for the

sanctuary and for Israel? Lev. 16:16.

On the tenth day of the seventh month (September-October)

each year, the high priest fulfilled the rituals for the cleansing of

the sanctuary which represented full atonement for the con-

fessed sins of Israel on that annual Day of Atonement.

What wider significance do these Levitical ceremonies

have in the plan of salvation? Heb. 9:22-26.

Few, if any, have difficulty in seeing the offering of animals as

a type of "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the

world." Sound biblical study invites us to take the further step of

accepting that the typical Day of Atonement must also have its

antitype. This would be in an event that will once and for all not

only pardon sin but remove all condemnatory records from

against the names of those who have chosen Christ as their

Substitute and Advocate. This calls for an act of examination or

judgment of those who have engaged Christ as their Advocate.

"As in the typical service there was a work of atonement at the

close of the year, so before Christ's work for the redemption of

men is completed there is a work of atonement for the removal

of sin from the sanctuary."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 421.

How thoroughly have we learned that without the shedding

of blood there is no remission of sins—our sins?

Patriarchs and Prophets,

pp. 352-358

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY



Judgment and



the Judge

LESSON 2



❑

Wednesday

October 7



Part 4



Which Old Testament prophecy, related to the antitypical

JUDGMENT day of atonement, deals with prophetic time? Is there any

IN HEAVEN other prophecy like it?

"Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the

sanctuary be cleansed" (Dan. 8:14).

This verse, in isolation, does not provide its own interpreta-

tion. It needs to be considered in the context of Daniel's other

prophecies, especially those in chapters 7 through 9. These

take us through the remaining Old Testament years into the

Christian era and into God's eternal kingdom. The earthly

sanctuary was destroyed in A.D. 70; its services had been re-

placed by Christ's heavenly ministry in "the true tabernacle,

which the Lord pitched, and not man" (Heb. 8:2). Since the

cleansing of the sanctuary takes place at the end of the 2300

prophetic days or literal years, the event can only refer to the

cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven.

In what sense can the heavenly sanctuary be cleansed?

Heb. 9:23. (Note the translation in the New English Bible.)

"As anciently the sins of the people were by faith placed upon

the sin offering and through its blood transferred, in figure, to

the earthly sanctuary, so in the new covenant the sins of the

repentant are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred, in

fact, to the heavenly sanctuary. And as the typical cleansing of

the earthly was accomplished by the removal of the sins by

which it had been polluted, so the actual cleansing of the

heavenly is to be accomplished by the removal, or blotting out,

of the sins which are there recorded. But before this can be

accomplished, there must be an examination of the books of

record to determine who,

through repentance of sin and faith in

Christ, are entitled to the benefits of His atonement.

The cleans-

ing of the sanctuary therefore involves a work of investigation—

a work of judgment."—The

Great Controversy,

pp. 421, 422.

(Emphasis supplied.)

A detailed study of the chronological aspects of Daniel 7

through 9 points to 457 B.C. as the beginning date for the

measurement of the 2300 days, or years, with A.D. 1844 as the

time when our Lord entered on the cleansing, or judicial, phase

of His high-priestly ministry. The present-day significance of

that date will appear more fully in next week's lesson. For now,

we should realize that the ever-nearer arrival of the second

advent brings nearer our own personal appearance before the

judgment seat of Christ.



THINK IT THROUGH



Why does Christ's daily intercession for repentant sinners

need a judgment-type ministry for its completion?



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 418-422

Judgment and the Judge

LESSON 2



❑

Thursday

October 8

Part 5

NEW TESTAMENT

AND JUDGMENT

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

In God's plans, how prominent a place has been assigned to

a time for judgment?

"God ... now commandeth all men every where to repent:

because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge

the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath or-

dained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that

he hath raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:30, 31).

In his address to the Athenians, Paul urged his listeners to

repent because of the certainty of judgment. He knew that God,

in His infallible foreknowledge, had already fixed a day when His

Son would judge all men. This, says Paul, was called for by

Christ's resurrection. Room must therefore be found in the

prophetic calendar for the Saviour's judging both the living and

the dead. (Compare Christ's own declaration in John 5:22 and

Peter's teaching in Acts 10:42.)

When, in the human life-span, does the judgment occur?

Heb. 9:27, 28.

Generally, judgment cannot be pronounced until a man's

earthly life is completed, which is normally at death. After this,

his record can be justly weighed, as it will be in the investigative

judgment. For those who are alive at Christ's coming, death will

not be necessary, for all who claim pardon by faith in Christ's

sacrifice will already have been judged by having their sins

forgiven and their lives cleansed (1 John 1:9). When the Saviour

appears the second time, then it will be "without sin," or, in a

better translation, "apart from sin." When He first came, it was

to "save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21); at the second

coming, His objective will be to receive the redeemed unto

Himself (John 14:3).

"The work of the investigative judgment and the blotting out

of sins is to be accomplished before the second advent of the

Lord. Since the dead are to

judged out of the things written in

the books, it is impossible that the sins of men should be blotted

out until after the judgment at which their cases are to be

investigated.... When the investigative judgment closes, Christ

will come, and His reward will be with Him to give to every man

as his work shall

be."—The Great Controversy,

p. 485.

Now is the time to ensure a satisfactory verdict when our

cases come before the Righteous Judge.

"This is a time when every man in a responsible position, and

every member of the church, should bring every feature of his

work into close accord with the teachings of the word of

God."—Testimonies,

vol. 9, p. 185.

The Great Controversy,

pp. 482-491



Judgment and



the Judge

LESSON 2



❑

Friday

October 9



.Part



What plan does God have to ensure our freedom from con-

PREPARATION demnation at the time of judgment?

FOR JUDGMENT

"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin

not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1).

The apostle provides two phases of the answer to our ques-

tion. (1) Refrain from sinning. This is the ideal, the objective of

the plan of salvation. However, since all'of us have sinned (and

have inherently sinful natures that taint our obedience—see

Selected Messages,

bk. 1, p. 344), that advice gives us excellent

counsel but does not save us from condemnation. (2) We must

engage the services of our Mediator—He who longs to plead

our cause. We all need Jesus Christ the Righteous to speak on

our behalf, but we must retain Him as our defense lawyer now,

for it will be too late when the final judgment is set and the books

are opened.

"Our crucified Lord is pleading for us in the presence of the

Father at thethrone of grace. His atoning sacrifice we may plead

for our pardon, our justification, and our sanctification. The

Lamb slain is our only hope. Our faith looks up to Him, grasps

Him as the One who can save to the uttermost, and the fra-

grance of the all-sufficient offering is accepted of the Father....

He is our sympathizing Saviour."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol.

7, p. 948.

On what basis may we face with confidence the prospect of

Christ's coming and the thought of judgment? 1 John 2:28.

Only those who "abide in him" here below will be ready to

abide with Christ above when He returns to gather His elect

from one end of heaven to the other. "Abiding in Christ means a

constant receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender to

His service.... As the vine branch constantly draws sap from the

living vine, so are we to cling to Jesus, and receive from Him by

faith the strength and perfection of His own character."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 676. Thus we shall have confidence—not a

brazen presumption, but a conviction of Christ's faithful, effec-

tive advocacy on our behalf, a knowledge that He is able "to

save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him" (Heb.

7:25). Then we shall not be ashamed before Him.



THINK IT THROUGH



"So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the

law of liberty" (James 2:12). How shall we apply this admoni-

tion to our own lives?



FURTHER STUDY



Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol.

7, p.

948

LESSON 3 October 11-17

150

Micallg

"The hour cometh, and now is,

when the true worshippers shall

worship the Father in spirit and in

truth: for the Father seeketh such to

worship him" (John

4:23).

The Father has not always had to

seek those who will worship Him.

Cherubim and seraphim, unnum-

bered angelic hosts, and inhabit-

ants of unfallen worlds have ever

delighted to render Him homage

and adoration. Only sin has made

the human race draw back and be

unable to worship its Creator ac-

ceptably, and the Lord has been

trying to help men overcome those

handicaps. This leads Him to seek

for worshipers, not for self-glorious

ends (such motivation is foreign to

God's nature), but for the uplift of

those whom He is teaching to wor-

ship. Thus man's highest end is to

worship and glorify his Maker and,

in so doing, to become more like

God.

In the person of Lucifer, God has

a powerful competitor who also

seeks for worshipers. He suc-

ceeded with myriads of angels. He

even tried to enroll the Son of God

among his devotees (Matt. 4:9). He

has continued recruitment among

all mankind throughout human his-

tory.

This sketch supplies a back-

ground to the giving of the three

awls' messages recorded in Reve-

lation 14. Each message is con-

cerned with worship, true and

false. The dominant theme is,

"Fear God, and give glory to him"

(Rev. 14:7), proclaimed against the

countercalls of Babylon, the beast,

and his image. All the world won-

ders after the beast (Rev. 13:3);

and, if we are not to follow suit,

we must clearly see the issues

which are at stake. Our directive

must be that which inspired our

Master, "Thou shalt worship the

Lord thy God, and him only shalt

thou serve" (Matt. 4:10). This will

lead to obedience; for obedience

is still the highest form of worship,

"the highest dictate of reason as

well as of conscience."—The

Acts

of the Apostles,

p. 506.

The urgency of the divine call to

worship and obedience resides in

the time factor "the hour of his

judgment is come" (Rev. 14:7).

This forewarns of the approaching

end. There is no time to lose!

Let us then this week take a

fresh look at one of the best-

known doctrines of our church—

the threefold call to worship our

Creator.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

The Globe and the Gospel

(Rev. 14:6)

Call to Worship

(Rev. 14:7)

Worship the Creator

(Rev. 14:7)

Come Out of Babylon

(Rev. 14:8)

Beware of Apostasy

(Rev. 14:9, 10)

True Worshipers

(Rev. 14:12)

Recall to Worship

LESSON 3



❑

Sunday

October 11



Part 1



In the revelator's portrayal of last things, what scale of

THE GLOBE evangelism did he present?

AND THE



GOSPEL



"I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the

everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the

earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and

people" (Rev. 14:6).

Study of the book of Revelation quickly reveals that its survey

of history does not follow a straight line in time, but moves

forward and backward as the shifting scenes pass beforeJohn's

eyes. An illustration of this occurs in chapters 13 and 14, where

the prophet records a normal historical sequence in chapter 13,

then gives a glimpse into a later scene in chapter 14:1-5, and in

14:6 resumes the chronological recital from chapter 13:18.

Recognition of the interruption enables us to see the connec-

tion between 13:18 and 14:6 and the three messengers of 14:6-

12 fulfilling their duties in the last days prior to the Lord's return

(14:14-20).

John sees an angel fly in the midst of heaven (ensuring prom-

inence), to preach eternally good news to all peoples. Since

angels are not given the task of preaching, the angel must

symbolize the Christians who bear that responsibility. Their

message is given them—an everlasting gospel. The only au-

thentic and efficacious gospel ever published, this good news

born in times eternal in the heart of our loving God was pro-

claimed first in Eden (Gen. 3:15), typified in the sacrificial ser-

vices in the tabernacle, and realized in the ministry of our Lord.

This is the news that fallen man has always needed—and needs

even more urgently today. Those who have received it are here

commissioned in the last days to share it with their fellow

human beings of all races in all nations.

"The first angel's message of Revelation 14, announcing the

hour of God's judgment and calling upon men to fear and

worship Him, was designed to separate the professed people of

God from the corrupting influences of the world and to arouse

them to see their true condition of worldliness and backsliding.

In this message, God had sent to the church a warning, which,

had it been accepted, would have corrected the evils that were

shutting them away from Him. Had they received the message

from heaven, humbling their hearts before the Lord and seeking

in sincerity a preparation to stand in His presence, the Spirit and

power of God would have been manifested among them."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 379.



THINK IT THROUGH



What bearing does your belief in the one and only everlast-

ing gospel have on your daily experience?



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 818-822

Recall to Worship

LESSON 3



❑

Monday

October 12

Part 2

CALL TO

WORSHIP

"Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him;

for the hour of his judgment is come" (Rev. 14:7).

This proclamation was not given in a corner but "in the midst

of heaven," to all peoples, and "with a loud voice." The Lord

intended the message to make a powerful impact on the entire

human race.

The core of the message is the same as has ever been at the

heart of the gospel: "Fear God, and give glory to him." (Com-

pare Ex. 20:3-6; Deut. 6:4, 5; Eccl. 12:13; Micah 6:8; Matt. 4:10;

22:36-38; John 14:15; 17:3.) The world's ills stem from man's

slowness and refusal to fear or reverence God, from man's

continual self-centeredness that leads him to cry, "Glory to Man

in the Highest! for Man is the master of things."—A. C. Swin-

burne, "Hymn of Man," quoted in

Oxford Book of Quotations.

The first angel calls on mankind to repudiate such egotism and

to give the Lord God His rightful place in every department of

life.

The unique urgency of the message resides in an historical

fact—"the hour of his judgment is come." From Eden onward,

God's judgment has always operated (see last week's lesson),

but it has hitherto been of an interim nature, awaiting a final

reckoning. Now history has caught up with the divine time-

table—the hour of God's judgment has come; it has arrived.

The authority in the first message grows out of the fulfillment

of prophecy concerning judgment, specifically Daniel 8:14,

which pinpoints A.D. 1844 as "the hour" or the time when the

investigative judgment began in the heavenly sanctuary. This

places a great spiritual responsibility on that body of

Christians—Seventh-day Adventists—who understand and

proclaim this message.

"In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in

the world as watchmen and light bearers.... They have been

given a work of the most solemn import—the proclamation of

the first, second, and third angels' messages.. ..

"It is not only by preaching the truth, not only by distributing

literature, that we are to witness for God.... Not all the books

written can serve the purpose of a holy life. Men will believe, not

what the minister preaches, but what the church lives."—

Testimonies,

vol. 9, pp. 19-21.



THINK IT THROUGH



Are we, as Seventh-day Adventists, noted for reverently

giving glory to God? What do our witness, our lives proclaim?



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 355-357

3-AL-4-81

Recall to Worship

LESSON 3



❑

Tuesday

October 13

Part 3

WORSHIP THE

CREATOR

What is the distinctive attribute of the God, whom the first

angel's message calls upon men to worship?

"Worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea,

and the fountains of waters" (Rev. 14:7).

It is singularly fitting that the first angel's call to worship

should define God as He who created all things. The proclama-

tion, "the hour of his judgment is come," began to be preached

about 1840, which was a little before the time when creationism

and evolution would begin to be examined more intensively

than ever before. Interest quickened within the next two de-

cades and received a dramatic stimulus in 1859 from the publi-

cation of Charles Darwin's

The Origin of Species.

Any Christian

movement, therefore, that stressed creationism and called men

to worship God as Creator of the world in six literal days and to

observe the seventh-day Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of

that fiat Creation—any such movement was peculiarly "on

target" for the mid-nineteenth century.

Let us not forget, however, that the call is for worship. This

requires that we fear God and give glory to Him, acknowledging

His primacy, giving Him our adoration, our respect, our obedi-

ence, our service, our trust, our love. In this way we bring glory

to Him in the eyes of the watching universe. Only then are we

fulfilling the third angel's message.

"To give glory to God is to reveal His character in our own,

and thus make Him known. And in whatever way we make

known the Father or the Son, we glorify God."—Ellen G. White

Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol.

7, p. 979.

"The worship of God is in contrast with the worship of the

beast (ch. 13:8, 12) and that of its image (v. 15). In the crisis soon

to come, the inhabitants of the earth will be called upon to make

their choice. . . . The message of the first angel is designed to

prepare men to make the proper choice and to stand firm in the

time of crisis."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary, vol. 7,

p. 828.

From these observations we get a glimpse of the comprehen-

siveness of this first message. It is universal; it rings the age-old,

ever-needed call to the worship of our Creator God. It does this

in the urgent setting of the judgment, against which there can

be no appeal; and—very significant to each student of this

lesson—it is sounded by men and women who themselves must

practice what they preach to every nation, kindred, tongue, and

people.



THINK IT THROUGH



How can our manner of worship, and particularly of Sabbath

observance, bring glory to God?



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 379, 380

Recall to Worship

LESSON 3



❑

Wednesday

October 14

Part 4

COME OUT

OF BABYLON

"There followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is

fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of

the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Rev. 14:8).

Manuscript evidence favors the inclusion of "a second" after

"another angel," thus completing the numbering of the angelic

trio. But while the angels are shown as following one another,

there is nothing to suggest that the second and third displace

the first, or the third the second. When the third appears, the

other two messages continue to be preached simultaneously.

"The term 'Babylon' is derived from 'Babel,' and signifies

confusion. It is employed in Scripture to designate various

forms of false or apostate religion. In Revelation 17 Babylon is

represented as a woman—a figure which is used in the Bible as

the symbol of a church, a virtuous woman representing a pure

church, a vile woman an apostate church.

"In the Bible the sacred and enduring character of the rela-

tion that exists between Christ and His church is represented by

the union of marriage. . . .

"The unfaithfulness of the church to Christ in permitting her

confidence and affection to be turned from Him, and allowing

the love of worldly things to occupy the soul, is likened to the

violation of the marriage vow... .

"The message of Revelation 14, announcing the

fall

of Baby-

lon must apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have

become corrupt. Since this message follows the warning of

judgment, it must be given in the last days; therefore it cannot

refer to the'Roman Church alone, for that church has been in a

fallen condition for many centuries. Furthermore, in the

eighteenth chapter of the Revelation the people of God are

called upon to come out of Babylon. According to this scripture,

many of God's people must still be in Babylon. And in what

religious bodies are the greater part of the followers of Christ

now to be found? Without doubt, in the various churches pro-

fessing the Protestant faith. At the time of their rise these

churches took a noble stand •for God and the truth, and His

blessing was with them. . . . But they fell by the same desire

which was the curse and ruin of Israel—the desire of imitating

the practices and courting the friendship of the ungodly."—The

Great Controversy,

pp. 381, 383.

While proclaiming the message, let us never forget Revela-

tion 18:4—God sees His people in Babylon! Find them!



THINK IT THROUGH



How may the Seventh-day Adventist Church guard against

Babylonian influences?



FURTHER STUDY



Early Writings,

pp. 273, 274, 277-279

Recall to Worship

LESSON 3



❑

Thursday

October 15

Part 5

BEWARE OF

APOSTASY

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

What is the terrible burden published by the third heaven-

sent messenger?

"The third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If

any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his

mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the

wine of the wrath of God" (Rev. 14:9, 10). (See also verse 11.)

The content of these three verses is concentrated, calling for

our close attention.

"The third angel followed [or accompanied] them." This

mention of the third may suggest the unity of the three, may

confirm the numbering of the first and second angels, and may

gather the three in a group distinct from the many other mes-

sengers seen by the revelator. This may also suggest that the

proclamation of the first two messages continues while the

third is preached.

The opening words of the message—worship, beast, im-

age, mark—firmly link it with the events foretold in chapter

13:11-18. Indeed, the third message cannot be understood

apart from chapter 13.

Note the sin against which the message warns: it is trans-

gression against the first commandment (Ex. 20:3)—God alone

is to be worshiped.

"His mark." "To receive this mark means to come to the

same decision as the beast has done, and to advocate the same

ideas, in direct opposition to the Word of God.

"If the light of the truth has been presented to you, ... and yet

you still cling to the false sabbath, refusing to keep holy the

Sabbath which God calls 'My holy day,' you receive the mark of

the beast."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commen-

tary, vol.

7, pp. 979, 980.

Babylon has made all nations drink of her wine. Those who

deliberately choose false worship will drink God's wine, His

judgment.

The judgment. This does not involve eternal torment. The

reference might be to the plagues which bring death (chapters

15, 16) and to the second death (chapter 20:12-15).

Study of the fearful nature of divine judgment on false

worship should call out compassion and missionary action on

the part of God's people. Let us not be self-satisfied, for that

would be unpardonably pharisaical and make us eligible for the

same torment that comes to those who worship the beast and

his image.

Amid the power and the glory that shine throughout the

Revelation, there is also the horror of the wages of sin. How

real to us are these extreme opposites? In which direction are

we moving—toward God or His enemies?

The Great Controversy,

pp. 593-598

ReC

all to Worship

LESSON 3



❑

Friday •

October 16



Part 6



What fruitage comes from the proclamation of the three

TRUE angels' messages?

WORSHIPERS

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep

the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev.

14:12).

Verses 6 to 12 are a unit of prophecy and require unified

interpretation. Since no results are recorded from the giving of

the first and second messages, the declaration in verse 12

summarizes the fruitage borne of the threefold witness. That

summary deserves close study.

Saints.

Three verses (9-11) have just been devoted to the

judgment that falls on those who worship the beast and his

image. The reference to "saints" shows that while such apos-

tasy is worldwide, it will not be total.

Patience.

Faithful Christians will need all the patience, for-

titude, and steadfastness that heaven can furnish them as they

resist apostate forces and false teachings. The phrase "here is"

shows that there will be a body of patient, faithful believers, who

are identified in chapter 12:17 as "the remnant."

Keep the commandments of God.

This is a further clue to the

identity of the faithful—they are obedient, and they heed God's

law, in contrast to those who obey the beast and his image. This

faithfulness to the law of the Lord, especially in respect to

Sabbath observance, will distinguish the faithful from those

who transgress that law.

The faith of Jesus.

Or, faith in Jesus. If the first rendering is

preferred, then the saints are to hold the same faith that sus-

tained Jesus; if the second translation is taken, then the refer-

ence is to the saints' faith in Jesus and His merits. (NIV has

"faithful to Jesus.")

"In Revelation 14 John beholds another scene. He sees a

people whose fidelity and loyalty to the laws of. God's kingdom

grow with the emergency. The contempt placed upon the law of

God only makes them reveal more decidedly their love for that

law."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol.

7, p. 981.

These messages are addressed not only to those who have

not yet made their decisions, but to us who claim to be com-

mandment keepers. They should provide us with the standard

by which to assess our fitness for inclusion among "the saints."



THINK IT THROUGH



How may we know if God includes us among the faithful

remnant?



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 8, pp. 197-200

,.+Lv

.. ~.

ut~..~C

LESSON 4 October 18-24

07he XEing 50 C© big

"In the days of these kings shall

the God of heaven set up a kingdom,

which shall never be destroyed: and

the kingdom shall not be left to other

people, but it shall break in pieces

and consume all these kingdoms, and

it shall stand for ever" (Dan. 2:44).

The teaching of the second com-

ing of Christ is a natural doctrine, a

logical continuation of world his-

tory rather than a statement of a

theological view. Given the facts of

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Crea-

tion, the incarnation, Calvary, the

resurrection, and the ascension,

the second coming is called for—

one of history's great essentials, a

part of creation's total pattern.

Without it, there is tragedy. With

it, there is the greatest of triumphs.

We briefly touch on that side of

salvation history this week, and we

see it as a necessary part of the

Christian story. We then turn to

Christ's own foresights and obser-

vations concerning His return and

His counsels to His first and later

disciples concerning their involve-

ments in the history of their own

times. We note how He wished

they and we should live as the

Master's prophecies are fulfilled.

We need to read the signs of the

times, especially those of our own

times. Each given sign is a

signpost, to

read and then left

behind as we, the travelers, move

ahead. To convince others that we

are on the right road, we May refer

to past landmarks; but they will

not now ensure our arrival at the

pearly gates. Our completion of

the journey now depends on our

right reading and following of the

map of the country that lies ahead.

It is not possible to cover such a

subject as Christ's coming and His

kingdom in two weeks, in twelve

brief glances at the wealth of reve-

lation on this regal topic. Neither is

it desirable that we contentedly



re-

peat what textbooks have outlined

for more than a century past. We

have, then, had to be severely

selective, while viewing the second

advent from a slightly different

angle from the usual, seeing it as

the culmination of God's eternal

purpose in Christ Jesus.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

The Kingdom Is Coming

(Luke

1:32, 33)

Satisfaction Assured

(Isa. 53:11)

Promise of Return

(John 14:1-3)

Signs of Return—I

(Matt. 24:3)

Signs of Return—II

(Matt. 24:29)

Signs of Return—III

(Luke 17:26, 27)

The King Is Coming

LESSON 4



❑

Sunday

October 18

Part 1

THE KINGDOM

IS COMING

In addition to announcing Christ's birth, what assurance did

Gabriel give Mary concerning her Son?

"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the High-

est: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his

father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for

ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:32,

33).

With what joy did Gabriel make that announcement! He and

his myriads of winged companions had mourned the loss of our

world's loyalty for 4000 years. Now their Commander was about

to take human form that He might regain "the first dominion"

(Micah 4:8), might reign from the throne of David, and might

rule over an everlasting kingdom. The first step in fulfilling this

bold program was about to be taken—the Eternal would tie

Himself to time as a babe, who would live to overthrow the

enemy and reestablish God's rule over the whole earth. The

beneficent ministry, the death, burial, resurrection, and ascen-

sion were further vital steps in the fulfillment of the proclaimed

plan, but not yet has David's greatest Son regained "the throne

of his father David." While Christ has ever remained a King

(witness the Magi's gifts in Bethlehem), He still has to return to

rule as King over our world. Therein lies the need for His second

advent—to complete the work begun here as a man.

What simple but encouraging promise did the Lord give His

true followers? Matt. 5:5.

This promise, too, calls for our Lord's return. At present "the

meek" are the last to inherit even a minute portion of the earth;

their little is taken from them—even life itself—by the proud.

This state of society will get worse and worse until halted by the

dramatic change in world government that Christ's return will

bring. This is why He will come again.

"The meek 'shall inherit the earth.' It was through the desire

of self-exaltation that sin entered into the world, and our first

parents lost the dominion over this fair earth, their kingdom. It is

through self-abnegation [putting self aside] that Christ redeems

what was lost. And He says we are to overcome as He did."—

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

p. 17.



THINK IT THROUGH



How successful can Christianity claim to be, apart from the

revolution that will accompany its Founder's return?



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 299-302

The King Is Coming

LESSON 4



❑

Monday

October 19



Part 2



"He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:



SATISFACTION



by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for



ASSURED



he shall bear their iniquities" (Isa. 53:11).

After recounting the suffering that would come to the Man of

Sorrows as He bore the sins of the world, the prophet foretells

that the Suffering Servant "will be satisfied." By bearing "their

iniquities," the Redeemer will "justify man," or "make the many

righteous." This is an assurance that the Son of man will not

have suffered in vain. "The travail of his soul" will give birth to a

multitude of redeemed ones that no man can number, and these

will be the subjects of His kingdom.

It is enlightening to note that this verse contains one of the

few phrases where the Dead Sea Scrolls' version of Isaiah gives

a different reading from the traditional Hebrew text. As a result,

we may literally read, "After the labour of his soul he shall see

the light of life; he shall be satisfied." (See also NIV.)

Our Lord cannot be completely satisfied, however, until those

He has saved from sin are able to enjoy eternal life. This is only

possible at the last day, at His own coming in glory. (See John

5:25, 29; 6:40.)

What royal scene did the Spirit of Christ, operating in Daniel,

reveal to the prophet? Dan. 7:13, 14, 27.

This foreview, based on divine foreknowledge and well

known to our Lord through His own study of the Scriptures,

called for more than His earthly life could ever provide. When He

ascended to His Father's court, He expected to return in regal

majesty to complete all that had been foretold concerning His

kingdom. This calls for His judgment ministry (that would clear

His government), for His acceptance of the everlasting domin-

ion, and, ultimately, for His triumphant royal return. (Compare

The Great Controversy,

pp. 479, 480.) Already, then, it may be

truly said, He has seen the travail of His soul, and He is satisfied

(see lsa. 53:11)—the investigative judgment declaring that the

cross was not in vain. He who had appeared to Daniel must

Himself have been sustained during His days on earth by His

study of Daniel's book. How deep must be His interest as its

prophecies approach their complete fulfillment.



THINK IT THROUGH



How can I ensure that my life's records, reviewed during the

judgment, will bring Christ the satisfaction He has long

awaited?

FURTHER STUDY



Under the Spirit's guidance, study Isaiah 53, seeking the se-

cret of bringing satisfaction to the Saviour.

The King Is Coming

LESSON 4



❑

Tuesday

October 20



Part 3



With what expectation did Jesus face separation from His

PROMISE OF disciples?

RETURN

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe

also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were

not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and

receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be

also" (John 14:1-3).

Although Christ's concern for His followers held first place in

His thoughts, His own heart must have been heavy at the

thought of leaving those with whom He had shared three years

that turned the tide of human history. Yet He faced the parting in

the knowledge of reunion, and He wanted the eleven to share

that same expectation. He therefore reminded them of the basic

position of their faith and appealed to their personal knowledge

of Himself. You are believers in God; believe similarly in Me. I am

only going away from you that I might come back and be with

you, and you with Me, forever.

"The object of Christ's departure was the opposite of what the

disciples feared. It did not mean a final separation.... While He

was building mansions for them, they were to build characters

after the divine similitude."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 663.

Under what circumstances did angels confirm the assur-

ance of their Master's return? Acts 1:9-11.

"The same Jesus who had walked and talked and prayed with

them; who had broken bread with them; who had been with

them in their boats on the lake; and who had that very day toiled

with them up the ascent of Olivet,—the same Jesus had now

gone to share His Father's throne. And the angels had assured

them that the very One whom they had seen go up into heaven,

would come again even as He had ascended."—The

Desire of

Ages,

p. 832.

While the angels did not specifically promise the disciples

that

they

would see their Lord return in the clouds during their

own lifetime, the announcement held out that eventual pros-

pect to the group of early Christians who had just seen their

beloved Jesus carried away from their straining eyes.



THINK IT THROUGH



In what respects does our personal knowledge of the Father

encourage us to believe in the Son and His return?



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 8, pp. 252-254

The King Is Coming

LESSON 4



❑

Wednesday

October 21

Part 4

SIGNS OF

RETURN—I

What questions concerning the future did the Master's

teaching arouse in the minds of His disciples?

"As he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came

unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things

be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of

the world?" (Matt. 24:3).

The last crowded week of our Lord's peculiarly human minis-

try had already begun. It would be followed by 40 days of ap-

pearances after his resurrection. Sunday morning, on His way

up the steep road from Jericho, He had ridden, humbly but

triumphantly, into the capital, then withdrawn down the same

road to the peace of Bethany. On Monday He cleared the temple

of its blasphemous commerce and entered on an intensive

threefold teaching program—addressed to the general

populace, to the rulers, and lastly to the disciples (Matt. 20:29 to

23:39). His sorrow over the destruction about to strike

Jerusalem (Matt. 24:1, 2) prompted the Twelve to pose the

threefold question, "When will these events occur? What sign

will forewarn us of Your coming? How shall we know when to

expect the end of the world?"

What was the Master's immediate response to His follow-

ers' inquiries? Matt. 24:4-8.

Jesus does not avoid the questions posed by His disciples.

But because they could not grasp what would occur even in the

week that lay ahead, because they could not understand the

centuries that would pass before their Lord would return, and

because, had they known, they would not have been able to

bear the revelations—for such reasons Jesus mercifully min-

gled the immediate with the distant. (See

The Great Con-

troversy,

p. 25.) He referred to some signs that would be true of

both times. Warnings concerning the destruction of the temple

and the city, of political chaos, devastating wars, and natural

disasters, merged with signs that particularly applied to His own

return, or

parousia.

However, the primary application of the

phrase "the end is not yet" (Matt. 24:6) is seen as a warning to

the disciples in A.D. 31 not to expect an immediate destruction

of Jerusalem. That catastrophe did not occur until A.D. 70,

nearly 40 years later, by which time some of His listeners were

dead!



THINK IT THROUGH



Compared with the Twelve, how perceptive are we concern-

ing the signs of our times?



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 628-630

The King Is Coming

LESSON 4



❑

Thursday

October 22

Part 5

SIGNS OF

RETURN—II

THINK IT THROUGH

To which prominent milestones on the road to His return did

the Saviour draw the believers' attention?

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the

sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and

the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the

heavens shall be shaken" (Matt. 24:29).

Some sections of our Lord's prophecy (Matthew 24 and paral-

lels) may be applied to first-century conditions and events and

also to the time just before His second advent—as we have

already observed in Matthew 24:6 (Mark 13:7)—"the end is not

yet." The same may be said of Matthew 24:21 (Mark 13:19)—"for

then shall be great tribulation."

No double interpretation is possible, however, for today's

text, though prophecy drastically foreshortens its time ele-

ments. The physical signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,

occurring in 1780 and 1833, are clearly linked to the coming of

the Son of man (Matt. 24:30; Mark 13:24-26). But they were

guideposts; and no sensible traveler spends much time looking

backward—he forges ahead. Furthermore, the lapse of one and

a half centuries since 1833 should warn us not to measure

prophecy's view of time by human reckoning.

What other signs of Christ's approaching return does Luke

record, in addition to those in the heavens? Luke 21:25, 26.

If Christians had given more heed to the earlier physical signs,

they might feel less fear in face of "the distress of nations, with

perplexity" and the shaking of the powers of heaven.

The conflict between dramatic improvement in living

conditions—accompanied by worsening social and political

relations—and man's inability to ensure lasting peace, pro-

duces despair. Thoughtful persons' hearts fail them for fear.

"We are now standing on the threshold of great and solemn

events. A crisis is before us, such as the world has never wit-

nessed. And sweetly to us, as to the first disciples, comes the

assurance that God's kingdom ruleth over all. The program of

coming events is in the hands of our Maker. The Majesty of

heaven has the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of His

church, in His own

charge."—Thoughts From the Mount of

Blessing,

p. 121.

Compare the parallel records of our Lord's prophetic dis-

course in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21; and build a pic-

ture of pre-advent conditions.

The King Is Coming

LESSON 4



❑

Friday

October 23

Part 6

SIGNS OF

RETURN—III

By what parallel event did Jesus direct His followers to

moral conditions that would point toward His coming?

"As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of

the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives,

they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered

into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all"

(Luke 17:26, 27). (Read also verses 28-30.)

"God did not condemn the antediluvians for eating and drink-

ing; . . . Their sin consisted in taking these gifts without

gratitude to the Giver. . . . It was lawful for them to marry.

Marriage was in God's order; ... but ... marriage was perverted

and made to minister to passion.

"A similar condition of things exists now. That which is lawful

in itself is carried to

excess."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

p. 101.

How does Paul support the Lord's view of the morality of the

last-day generation? 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

This is a fearful list of moral breakdown. It has applied to most

generations throughout history, but it is applicable to our gen-

eration more than to any other. Worse still, it applies to those

who have "a form of godliness," that is, to professing Chris-

tians, to church members, and, in some degree at least, to

ourselves. We can be a sign of the last days, either by being

justly included in Paul's sad list or by rising out of that class and

being numbered among them "that keep the commandments of

God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12).

What is the key to passing safely through the moral perils of

the last days? Luke 21:34-36.

We have responsibilities for our own spiritual survival. We

must "take heed" unto ourselves. We must reject customs that

debauch millions of our fellow human beings. Christian re-

straint in eating and drinking and a trustful, watchful way of

meeting life's demands will enable us to escape the snares that

entrap so many in our time.



THINK IT THROUGH



Which of the sins listed by Paul beset me the most? Am I

seeking daily grace from Christ to overcome them?



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 4, pp. 306-309

LESSON 5 October 25-31

m C©

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be

done in earth, as it is in heaven"

(Matt. 6:10).

This is the first petition in the

prayer Jesus taught the multitude

on the mount (chapter 5:1). Its po-

sition reveals its importance in the

Teacher's thinking. Its request—so

brief, yet of such magnitude—lies

at the very heart of Christ's minis-

try. He came so His kingdom could

come. None knew better than He

that His Palestinian life would not

complete that task. But it would set

it in motion; it would gather the

nucleus of subjects who would

be—in a special sense because of

their openness to Christ—charter

members of this kingdom which

the Son so often described as "the

kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 4:17

onward). The central ambition (in

the purest possible sense) of the

Son of man's existence was the es-

tablishment of that kingdom on

earth.

Last week's lesson dwelt on the

need for the coming of the King,

for His sake as well as that of the

lost worlds. Christ's own promises

assure us that His work did not

end at Calvary nor even at Bethany

(Luke 24:50), but that before the

foundation of the world He had

planned, in concert with the Fa-

ther, to come the second time to

complete the work He began in

Bethlehem. Without that return,

His Father's kingdom would not

come; with it, the train of events

would see God's will done on this

earth as it is in heaven.

The limitations of

brief

doctrinal

studies create their own difficul-

ties. This doctrine of the kingdom

is no exception. It had its im-

mediate application to those who

received its message in Palestine

and to the hearts of those who

later accepted it in every nation

under heaven. But it is also in-

separably linked to the Lord's

glorious return for the eternal es-

tablishment of His kingdom on

earth as an integral part of His

kingdom in heaven. It is from this

angle that this week's study views

the second advent—as a spectacu-

lar step in answer to the petition,

"Thy kingdom come."

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

When?-1

(Matt. 24:32, 33)

When?—II

(Matt. 24:36)

Why?

(Matt. 24:14)

How?-1

(Acts 1:11)

How?-11

(Matt. 16:27)

How to Be Ready

(Matt. 24:42)



"Thy Kingdom



Come"

LESSON 5



❑

Sunday

October 25



Part 1



How did Jesus reveal His recognition of the human desire to

WHEN?—I know the time when His prophecies will be fulfilled?

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet

tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it

is near, even at the doors" (Matt. 24:32, 33).

The disciples' question, "When shall these things be?" (Matt.

24:3) led to Christ's prophecies concerning the destruction of

Jerusalem and the end of the world. He first wanted to prepare

the Twelve for the national tragedy that loomed ahead (A.D. 70).

He then wanted to prepare the church for the griefs and joys that

would be associated with His second coming. He therefore told

of the signs recorded in Matthew 24:29 and described some of

the events that would accompany the return (verses 30, 31).

Infinite wisdom limited Christ in knowing or giving a date for the

advent. It well knew also-what human nature would do if a day

were fixed for His appearing. But Christ did reveal enough to

alert the believer to the nearness of that glad event. (See Matt.

24:36.)

The double thread of meaning that runs throughout Matthew

24 and its parallels (Mark 13 and Luke 21) appears also in our

text for today. The Greek of Matthew 24:33 permits translation

either as "it is near" or as "he is near." The first could refer to

A.D. 70 or to the advent, while the second would be a distinct

reference to Christ's own return. The general context, many

modern translations, and

The Desire of Ages,

page 632, favor

the second translation.

What solemn assurance of fulfillment did Jesus give con-

cerning the signs? Matt. 24:34, 35.

Verse 34 has given rise to many time forecasts concerning the

end. Yet it is clear from Christ's subsequent words in verse 36

that He never intended His followers to assume that He was

suggesting a date for His return. Some take the phrase "this

generation shall not pass" to mean that all the Lord's predic-

tions will have been fulfilled when the life cycle of the last

generation is interrupted by the advent itself. This application is

seen to be confirmed by the emphatic declaration in verse 35.



THINK IT THROUGH



How clear is our conviction that Christ's coming is near,

even at the doors? How do we proclaim that conviction?



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 632-634

"Thy Kingdom Come"

LESSON 5



❑

Monday

October 26

Part 2



How did Jesus declare the impossibility of the church's

WHEN?—II knowing either the day or the hour—that is the date—of

Christ's second coming?

"Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of

heaven, but my Father only" (Matt. 24:36).

Speaking in A.D. 31, the Lord could only deal in general terms

with the time of His second advent. Neither the Twelve nor the

multitudes who would come into the church after them were

capable of facing with spiritual calmness the passage of two

millenniums. Therefore the wise and merciful Father withheld

time knowledge from them. Yet disciples of all ages have longed

to have a date for their Master's return. To all of them, the Lord's

answer is final, "Of that day and hour knoweth no man." The

parallel passage in Mark contains the phrase "neither the Son"

(Mark 13:32). How, then, can mere mortals have the boldness to

claim to foretell the date of the Son's return? All dated forecasts

are doomed to failure. Worse still, the very attempts are mis-

placed, being an endeavor to discover what the Father in His

wisdom has decided to keep secret. (See Acts 1:7.)

"Time after time has been set for Christ to come, but repeated

failures have been the result.... Because the times repeatedly

set have passed, the world is in a more decided state of unbelief

than before in regard to the near advent of Christ. They look

upon the failures of the time setters with disgust; and because

men have been so deceived, they turn from the truth substan-

tiated by the word of God that the end of all things is

hand."—Testimonies,

vol. 4, p. 307.

Nevertheless, we must guard against the opposite extreme—

that of ignoring or denying the Lord's coming. Those negative

attitudes are often fatal, leading to a complete loss of faith. It is

the evil servant who says in his heart, "My lord delayeth his

coming," while the faithful and wise servant is ever ready for his

Master's return.

THINK IT THROUGH

Have we ever declared, after some earthshaking event,

"We are sure Christ will come within the next one or two (or

five or ten ) years now!" Is it not better, with Christ, to leave

such times and seasons to our omniscient Father?

"Those who think they must preach definite time in order to

make an impression upon the people do not work from the right

standpoint. . . . An excitement is created; but when the time

passes, as it has done repeatedly, those who moved out upon

time fall back into coldness, darkness, and sin, and it is almost

impossible to arouse their consciences without some great

excitement."—Testimonies,

vol. 4, p. 308.

4-AL-4-81

"Thy Kingdom Come"

LESSON 5



❑

Tuesday

October 27

Part 3



What did Jesus present to the Twelve as a key factor in the

WHY? time of His return?

"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the

world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end

come" (Matt. 24:14).

This gospel of the kingdom.

There is only one gospel (com-

pare Gal. 1:8). It proclaims the coming of the kingdom of which

Christ is King. It prepares men and women to be His sinless

subjects.

Shall be preached.

This is both a commission to preach that

gospel and an assurance that it will

done.

In all the world.

This calls for and promises global coverage.

For a witness unto all nations.

This requires that the good

news of God's plan of salvation be shared with all nationalities.

Then shall the end come.

This is a reference to "the end of

the world" (Matt. 24:3) and a pledge that it will come.

Upon whom does the burden for the proclamation of the

gospel rest? Matt. 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15.

The task was originally given to the apostles, but it was soon

shared with the church and accepted by the early Christians,

who "went every where preaching the word" (Acts 8:4). These

took the command literally and spoke to all whom they met,

sharing with them the wonderful news that "God, having raised

up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every

one of you from his iniquities" (Acts 3:26). The royal command

in Mark 16:15 shows that a token witness to a nation does not

fulfill the church's missionary duty. The divine intent is the

giving of the gospel "to every creature," or "to all creation"—a

colossal task still to be accomplished before the end can come.

But what else could we expect? "The Lord is ... not willing that

any should perish, but that all should come to repentance"

(2 Peter 3:9), and there are more than 4,000,000,000 "creatures"

alive in our world today. How many of them have heard and

accepted or rejected the gospel? How many still remain to be

reached? What are we doing to reach them? Are we doing it so

effectively that the end will soon come?

"The church of Christ is God's appointed agency for the

salvation of men. . . . Everyone, to the extent of his talent and

opportunity, is to fulfill the Saviour's commission."—Steps

Christ,

p. 81.

THINK IT THROUGH



What am I doing that will contribute to the preaching of the

gospel in all the world to help the end to come? If the answer is

negative, let this day's study change it.

"Thy Kingdom Come"

LESSON 5



❑

Wednesday

October 28

Part 4



What simple, angelic assurance defines the manner in

HOW?—1 which Jesus will return?

"This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven

shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into

heaven" (Acts 1:11).

"In like manner.

By this promise, His return must be (1)

personal—`this same Jesus' (see DA 832); (2) visible—`ye have

seen him go'; (3) with clouds—'a cloud received him'; (4)

certain—'shall so come.' This quiet but solemn pledge of the

angelic counselors brings to the doctrine of the second coming

of Christ an utter certainty, assured by the reality of the ascen-

sion. It is all true, event and promise, or none of it is true.

Without the second advent, all the preceding work in the plan of

salvation would be as vain as the sowing and cultivation of

crops without a harvest."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, pp.

125, 126.

With what magnificent words does Paul confirm the angels'

announcement? 1 Thess. 4:16, 17.

Here is the ascension in reverse. The same Jesus, possessing

the same dual divine-human nature, though glorified beyond

our utmost imaginings, descends from the heaven to which He

had ascended centuries ago. The eleven apostles who had seen

Him caught up will have been resurrected to see their Lord

returning, as the angels had promised. With them will also be

raised a multitude of the dead in Christ. (See Dan. 12:2;

Early

Writings,

p.285.) This host, together with all living believers who

had accepted the Saviour by faith, will "meet the Lord in the air:

and so shall we [Paul, the faithful Thessalonigns, and all the

redeemed] ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:17). This descrip-

tion adds to what Jesus told the people in His time. (See Matt.

16:27; 24:30, 31; 26:64.)

"Christ will come in His own glory, in the glory of His Father,

and the glory of the holy angels. Ten thousand times ten

thousand, and thousands of thousands of angels, the beautiful

and triumphant sons of God, possessing surpassing loveliness

and glory, will escort Him on His way."—The

Desire of Ages,

739.

THINK IT THROUGH

When "this same Jesus" calls to the dead and the living,

shall I be numbered among those who respond and meet

Him?

This is no merely academic question. We need to give most

earnest attention to our answer now.

FURTHER STUDY



Early Writings,

pp. 285-288



"Thy Kingdom



Come"

LESSON 5



❑

Thursday

October 29



Part 5



While still in Palestine, what was our Lord able to tell of His

HOW?-1I triumphant return?

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with

his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to

his works" (Matt. 16:27).

Peter had recognized the divinity of his Lord (Matt. 16:16).

Jesus had forewarned His companions of His approaching pas-

sion and had expounded His philosophy of sacrificial living

(verses 21-26). Then comes the revelation—already shared with

Nathaniel at the time of his call (John 1:51) but apparently

forgotten or not understood—"the Son of man shall come in the

glory of his Father" (Matt. 16:27). We memorize such words. Do

we have any true idea of what they mean? Moses pleaded,

"Shew me thy glory" (Ex. 33:18); and he was told, "There shall

no man see me, and live" (verse 20). In vision Daniel saw the

Ancient of Days and tried to describe what he saw (Dan. 7:9, 10;

compare Matt. 24:30, 31).

With what words does one of the psalmists describe Christ's

coming? Ps. 50:3, 4.

Those who knew their God as did the psalmists had a

sanctified respect for His glory. When they thought of His ap-

pearing, they visualized the awe-inspiring splendor, the purity

that could only be expressed in terms of fire, and the turmoil in

the elements as the shining hosts precede, surround, and follow

the King in His beauty. Habakkuk records an even more blazing

vision in chapter 3:3-6. Yet his reaction is not one of craven fear.

Instead, he exclaims, "I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the

God of my salvation" (verse 18). Isaiah's response was similar

when he saw the Lord will "swallow up death in victory; and the

Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; . . . it shall be

said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and

he will save us" (Isa. 25:8, 9).

"No language can describe the glory of the scene. The living

cloud of majesty and unsurpassed glory came still nearer, and

we could clearly behold the lovely person of Jesus. . . . His

countenance was as bright as the noonday sun, His eyes were

as a flame of fire, and His feet had the appearance of fine brass.

His voice sounded like many musical instruments."—Early

Writ-

ings,

p. 286.



THINK IT THROUGH



When we see Jesus, shall we

surprised at His appear-

ance, or shall we have so digested the biblical description of

His advent that we shall be humbly ready for His glory?



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

p. 301

"Thy Kingdom Come"

LESSON 5



❑

Friday

October 30

Part 6

HOW TO BE

READY

What reality shapes the counsel the Lord Himself gives to

those who await His return?

"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth

come" (Matt. 24:42).

Watch,

or keep on the alert. Ye

know not.

Thanks to the

Saviour's Instruction, we can know much about His coming, but

not one of us knows the day (rather than

hour)

of that coming

(compare verse 36). This makes it necessary for us to read the

signs of the times rightly and to be always on the alert, espe-

cially as we see the day approaching (Heb. 10:25). The Master

placed great emphasis on this watchful state, telling six para-

bles to drive the counsel home (Mark 13:34-37; Matt. 24:43, 44,

45-51; 25:1-13, 14-30, 31-46).

"The desire of our Lord is that we should be watching, so that

when He cometh and knocketh we may open to Him immedi-

ately. A blessing is pronounced upon those servants whom He

finds watching. . . . Are we prepared without delay to open to

Him immediately and welcome Him in? Watch, watch, watch."—

Testimonies,

vol. 2, p. 195.

What can we do for ourselves that will better prepare us to

meet our Master in peace? 2 Peter 3:14.

This verse is for all who love their Lord's appearing—those

who look for or wait for or expect "the coming of the day of

God" and "new heavens and a new earth" (verses 12, 13). It is,

then, a peculiarly Adventist verse and should be given earnest,

receptive attention by those who await the Saviour. Peter bids

us, "be diligent" or take pains, making every effort for a specific

purpose—namely, to be found by the Lord in a state of peace,

spiritually spotless and therefore blameless. This is an ex-

tremely high standard. It has only been fully met byJesus Christ,

and yet it can be credited to us. We then choote to be like Him

through His transforming power. Here, then, is a recipe for

readiness to meet the Redeemer in the last great day—daily

justified and daily being sanctified.

"My brother, my sister, I urge you to prepare for the coming of

Christ in the clouds of heaven. Day by day cast the love of the

world out of your hearts. Understand by experience what it

means to have fellowship with

Christ."—Testimonies,

vol. 9, p.

285.



THINK IT THROUGH



How diligent are we in our preparations to meet our Lord at

His return?



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp.

634-636

LESSON 6 November 1-7

&All Things New

"For, behold, I create new heavens

and a new earth: and the former

shall not be remembered, nor come

into mind" (Isa. 65:17).

The doctrine of the second com-

ing brings good news to mankind,

but Christ's return is not the end

of the story. If it were, many ques-

tions would remain unanswered,

and many problems would be left

unsolved. Happily, there are

further pages of revelation still to

be turned. One, showing the re-

deemed living and reigning with

Christ a thousand years, has al-

ready been glanced at; the second,

where God makes all things new

(Rev. 21:5), is the subject of this

week's study. It is the true fulfill-

ment of Tennyson's well-known

lines:

And one far-off divine event,

To which the whole creation

moves.

Consciously or otherwise, the

renewed earth is the goal to which

all of God's subjects have been

looking and moving throughout

history. Adam must have longed to

be restored to Eden. Abraham

looked for the heavenly city. Isaiah

was inspired to look for the crea-

tion of "new heavens and a new

earth." Jesus, however, having

come from His Father's house and

knowing He would return there,

knew it as His true home. He has

ever wanted His followers to see it

in a similar light.

It is difficult for earthbound,

time-confined humans to see into a

future without time or limit; but

much can be learned from a care-

ful study of biblical revelation. But

we need to be big-minded there,

for the ultimate reality will outstrip

even the most far-reaching of

sanctified imaginings. However, we

are not required to

know

all about

future glories. Our duty and

privilege is to be ready for them.

And that confronts us with spiritual

requirements, for "not every one

that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of

heaven; but he that doeth the will

of my Father which is in heaven"

(Matt. 7:21). We must also re-

member this too: "He that shall

endure unto the end, the same

shall be saved" (Matt. 24:13). Let

us not forget, however, that Christ

wants to receive us unto Himself

(John 14:3). As Augustine recog-

nized, "Thou hast made us for

Thyself, and our heart is restless,

until it repose in Thee."

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Assured Inheritance

(Isa. 45:18)

News of the Kingdom

(Mark 1:14)

They Seek a Country

(Heb. 11:10)

New Heaven, New Earth

(Rev. 21:1)

God With Us

(Rev. 21:3)

Citizens of the Kingdom

(Rev. 21:7)

All Things New

LESSON 6



❑

Sunday

November 1



Part 1



Note how God, through Isaiah, makes clear that He will yet

ASSURED reach the goal He had in creating our planet.

INHERITANCE

"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God

himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established

it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am

the Lord; and there is none else" (Isa. 45:18).

There is no boasting here. The Creator is calmly reminding

mankind and all other inhabitants of the universe that the ful-

fillment of His plan in the creation of our earth has been post-

poned, but not defeated, by the disease of sin. When human

history closes and the redeemed move over into the eternity that

we can now see only as the future—but which to the Eternal

is the ever-continuing present—we shall perceive that the Al-

mighty's original purposes for the earth have been fulfilled.

"There will be open to the student, history of infinite scope

and of wealth inexpressible. Here, from the vantage ground of

God's word, the student is afforded a view of the vast field of

history and may gain some knowledge of the principles that

govern the course of human events. But his vision is still

clouded, and his knowledge incomplete. Not until he stands in

the light of eternity will he see all things

clearly."—Education,

304.

With what words does David remind us that the earth will be

peopled by righteous inhabitants? Ps. 37:9-11, 29.

"Those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth."

"The meek shall inherit the earth." "The righteous shall inherit

the land." This must be so. An all-wise all-powerful God could

not determine otherwise. In the beginning He made man free to

choose good or evil in order to settle the conflict between right

and wrong. When the war against wrong shall have ended in

favor of right, it would be foolish and fatal to allow those who

prefer sin to introduce its destructive conceits into a new and

perfect creation. Those who are going to inhabit the renewed

earth must, therefore, be in complete harmony with the Creator's

ideals. The Son of God confirmed this in His teaching on the

mount (Matt. 5:5). To

the

poor in spirit, to the meek, to the pure

in heart, to the persecuted, to the reviled, the Son of man will

say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom pre-

pared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:34).



THINK IT THROUGH



How clearly do we accept that our present responses to

God's standards determine our fitness for eternity?



FURTHER STUDY



Patriarchs and Prophets,

pp. 729-735

All Things New

LESSON 6



❑

Monday

November 2

Part 2

NEWS OF THE

KINGDOM

THINK IT THROUGH

As Jesus began His ministry, what news did. He bring to the

world? What was the meaning of it?

"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into

Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God" (Mark

1:14).

Behold the irony of history! After John the Baptist had been

imprisoned while preaching "the kingdom of heaven is at hand"

(Matt. 3:1, 2), Jesus of Nazareth opened His ministry with the

very same message (Matt. 4:17). He who had set Adam and Eve

in Eden—there to establish a branch of the kingdom on planet

earth—and had seen that kingdom usurped by Satan, had come

in human guise to regain that realm for God. He was recruiting

subjects for the kingdom—those who agreed with its principles,

served Him as King, and were loyal to God the Father. The

kingdom would be first established in His followers' hearts and

then be realized in Eden restored, when the kingdoms of this

world become the kingdom of our Lord.

Why did the Lord often give instruction about the kingdom

by an indirect method? Matt. 13:10, 11.

The King had much to tell about the kingdom, but He had to

convey His news gently, for even the Jewish people were unpre-

pared to accept His revelations. He therefore taught in parables.

Thirteen of those, recorded by Matthew, dealt with the kingdom

of heaven or of God (Matt. 13:3 with 19, 24, 31, 33, etc.). Later,

just prior to ascension, He spent 40 days with the eleven apos-

tles, "speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God"

(Acts 1:3). He educated them to prepare others to be subjects of

that kingdom.

There can be no doubt, however, that Christ's far-seeing mind

looked beyond the building of the kingdom of God on a limited

basis among willing members of the human race. He was living

and working for the establishment of that kingdom as the su-

preme ruling power for all the universe, with the New Jerusalem

—set upon this earth—as the seat of divine government. Given

His eternal background and His knowledge of God's eternal

purpose, He could foresee no less than what is so briefly por-

trayed in the two final chapters of the Bible—Revelation, chap-

ters 21 and 22. We need to share His vision, while safeguarding

our own understanding of it from the blurrings that arise from

our own limitations.

As I think of the kingdom of heaven, am I more concerned

with its physical glories than with my spiritual preparedness

to be one of its citizens?

FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons, "Like

a Grain of Mustard Seed," pp.

76-79

All Things New

LESSON 6



❑

Tuesday

November 3

Part 3

THEY SEEK

A COUNTRY

What was the vision that inspired holy men of old in their

pilgrimage? How does this vision help us?

"For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose

builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:10).

In this, Abraham was typical of all saints who endured trou-

bled earthly lives on the strength of a heavenly vision. Through

eyes of faith they looked toward the well-founded city of which

God is both designer and builder. They looked ahead, seeking a

better, heavenly fatherland, and believing that God had pre-

pared such a country especially for them (verses 14, 16). Those

who have lived nearest to God have most clearly seen "the

things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Cor.

2:9), even though they have been numbered among those who

"died in faith, not having received the promises" (Heb. 11:13).

How did New Testament saints share the patriarchal vi-

sion? 2 Peter 3:13.

Earlier in this chapter, Peter has been writing of the scoffers

and earthly-minded ones who have ever been doubtful of bibli-

cal promises of the Lord's return and of His re-creative acts

(2 Peter 3:1-7). He has stated the Lord's patience (verse 9), that

"the day of the Lord will come" (verse 10), that the old creation

will be destroyed (verse 12), and that those who trust the divine

promise (see verses 4, 9) will look for "new heavens and a new

earth" (verse 13). The word here translated "new" does not call

for a completely different kind of heaven and earth, but rather

renewed heavens and a renewed earth from which all that is evil

has been purged and in which all that is right has made its

permanent home.



THINK IT THROUGH



Seeing that we look for such things, what kind of people

should we now be?

"In heaven there is perfect order, perfect obedience, perfect

peace and harmony. Those who have had no respect for order

or discipline in this life would have no respect for the order

which is observed in heaven. They can never be admitted into

heaven, for all worthy of an entrance there will love order and

respect discipline. The characters formed in this life will deter-

mine the future destiny. When Christ shall come, He will not

change the character of any individual. Precious, probationary

time is given to be improved in washing our robes of character

and making them white in the blood of the Lamb. To remove the

stains of sin requires the work of a

lifetime."—Testimonies,

vol.

4, p. 429.



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 9, pp. 285-288

All Things New

LESSON 6



❑

Wednesday

November 4

Part 4



What final and pleasing vision was granted to the revelator?

NEW HEAVEN, What does it mean to us today?

NEW EARTH

"I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven

and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more

sea" (Rev. 21:1).

The heavenly guides have led the apostle from the days of the

early church to the threshold of eternity, and now they give him

a glimpse into the timeless future, when all that God originally

planned will come to pass. What Peter and others looked for,

John is permitted to see—a renewed heaven and a remade earth

to replace those that have been destroyed by the shattering

events attendant to the end of the age. The greater part of the

remaining apocalyptic visions (Rev. 21:2 to 22:5) describes

conditions on the new earth and the glories of its capital city.

What impression of the Holy City is given .by the simile

applied to it by John? Rev. 21:2, 9, 10.

The New Jerusalem has been the heavenly city, but it is now to

be the seat of divine government. It is therefore seen to be

"descending out of heaven from God," gleaming because of the

glory of the Father radiating from it. The physical and spiritual

glories of that city are spelled out more fully in verses 11 to 27;

but we should remember that John is there trying to describe

the indescribable, using earthly language to convey eternal

realities that are beyond the mental reach of human beings.

"Workers for God should not spend time speculating as to

what conditions will prevail in the new earth.... He has made

every provision for our happiness in the future life, and we are

not to speculate regarding His plans for us. Neither are we to

measure the conditions of the future life by the conditions of

this life."—Gospel

Workers,

p. 314.

When all that the Lord has seen fit to reveal to us concerning

the nature of eternal life and the occupations that will engage us

during the eternal years has been faithfully studied, we are

scarcely carried beyond the pearly gates. The limitation need

cause us no dismay. We shall have eternity itself in which to

explore unimagined wonders where there will be no limits of

time to press us into peace-destroying haste!



THINK IT THROUGH



What do we foresee as our chief pleasure when we at last

behold the new heaven and when we dwell in the new earth?



FURTHER STUDY



Read Isaiah 25, endeavoring to apply its picturesque lan-

guage to conditions in the new earth.

All Things New

LESSON 6



❑

Thursday

November 5

Part 5

GOD WITH US

When the Holy City descends, what long-cherished divine

plan will have been carried out?

"I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the

tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and

they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them,

and be their God" (Rev. 21:3).

While the Lord God had walked in Eden, there is no scriptural

suggestion that He had then intended to make our earth the

center of His government. But the disaster of disobedience not

only called out redemptive love, but revealed the plan that God

Himself would live among the redeemed. This is beautifully

confirmed by the revelator's choice of words in this verse: "The

tabernacle of God is with men."

The earthly sanctuary was made so that the Lord might dwell

among His people (Ex. 25:8; 29:45); the temples built by Sol-

omon and Zerubbabel were to be similarly honored (1 Kings

6:13; Hag. 2:6-9); and when the Word, who was God, was made

flesh, God came to "dwell"—or to "tabernacle"—among men

(John 1:14). And now, with every form of evil destroyed (Rev.

20:7-15), God comes to make His everlasting home among the

ransomed race.

In considering this, we should ever bear in mind the limita-

tions of human thought and language and realize that the Om-

nipresent will not be localized, though He will dwell among His

people, even as their God. That surprising honor will suffice.

Over which territory and for how long a time will the Lord

God reign? Rev. 11:15; 19:6, 16.

"Then cometh the end, when he [Christ] shall have delivered

up the kingdom to God, even the Father.... And when all things

shall be subdued unto him [Christ], then shall the Son also

himself be subject unto him [the Father] that put all things under

him [Christ], that God [the Father] may be all in all" (1 Cor.

15:24-28).

Since heaven itself and all other worlds already delight in

loyalty to the Lord God, the submission of our wayward world

proclaims the Godhead as King of kings and Lord of lords over

the whole universe. Then will be fulfilled the declaration

prophesied by John: "and every creature which is in heaven,

and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea,

and all that are in them" say, "Blessing, and honour, and glory,

and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto

the Lamb for ever and ever" (Rev. 5:13). Alleluia!

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 674-678

All Things New

LESSON 6



❑

Friday

November 6

Part 6



What fitness for citizenship in the new world does its King

CITIZENS OF demand?

THE KINGDOM

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his

God, and he shall be my son" (Rev. 21:7).

This is but one of many ways of describing the qualities that

must be possessed by all who would be citizens of the kingdom

of God. They must, by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, have

overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. This is the refrain in

the messages to the seven churches (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12,

21). Other biblical writers mention other facets of the character

of him who would live with the Eternal—law lover, upright, pure

hearted, guileless (Ps. 1:1-3; 15; 24:3-5; 34:12-14), humble (Isa.

57:15), Spirit controlled (Rom. 8:1-4)—while Jesus declares

simply but with authority that the new birth is the prime essen-

tial (John 3:3). From another point of view it might be truly said

that the whole Bible is given that we might learn the secret of

how to become citizens of the kingdom of heaven.

After reviewing the many Instructions given for finding eter-

nal life, what basic requirement must we ever keep in mind?

Matt. 18:3.

"To be great in God's kingdom is to be a little child in humility,

in simplicity of faith, and in the purity of love. All pride must

perish, all jealousy be overcome, all ambition for supremacy be

given up, and the meekness and trust of the child be encour-

aged. . . .

"Are we willing to renounce our own wisdom and to receive

the kingdom of heaven as a little child? Are we willing to part

with self-righteousness? Are we willing to give up our chosen

worldly associates? Are we willing to sacrifice the approbation

of men? The prize of eternal life is of infinite value. Will we put

forth efforts and make sacrifices proportionate to the worth of

the object to be attained? . . .

"'He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to

walk, even as He walked.' Now if any man have not the spirit of

Christ, he is none of His.' This conformity to Jesus will not be

unobserved by the world. It is a subject of notice and comment.

The Christian may not be conscious of the great change; for the

more closely he resembles Christ in character the more humble

will be the opinion of himself; but it will be seen and felt by all

around

him."—Testimonies,

vol. 5, pp. 130, 222, 223.

THINK IT THROUGH



If Jesus were to come today, would I be ready for the king-

dom of heaven?

LESSON 7 November 8-14

7.Christianity

and

Health

"Whether therefore ye eat, or

drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to

the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).

It is worth our while to consider

the setting in which our memory

verse is placed. It concludes the

apostle's study of some of Israel's

failures during the Exodus, espe-

cially those of intemperance in eat-

ing, drinking, recreation, and sex-

ual _pleasures. From Israel he turns

to the Christian church and its

early struggles against idolatry. He

sees the communion service as a

safeguard against the lures of a

careless paganism, whose declared

philosophy cried, "Let us eat,

drink, and be merry; for tomorrow

we die." (See Isa. 22:13.). He con-

cludes his argument with 1 Corin-

thians 10:31.

As moral principles are increas-

ingly ignored, Christians increas-

ingly need to safeguard those that

are the basis of their religion. One

of the most elementary yet most

important of these

principles

claims that the Christian is God's

property by right of creation and of

purchase. This provides the basis

for true temperance and balanced

health reform.

As the church sees the mounting

flood of alcoholism, so much of

which is still old-fashioned drunk-

enness with its attendant crime and

brutality, it has the clear duty to

stem the cruel tide through pre-

vention, to rescue the enslaved,

and to aid their victims. All drug

dependencies bring harm to the

individual and society and defile

the temple of the Holy Spirit. The

teaching of temperance and the

helping of those who have lost the

power to help themselves, become

merciful and essential forms of

Christian service, and they play no

small part in reducing the miseries

that afflict our world.

"Here is a principle which lies at

the foundation of every act,

thought, and motive; the consecra-

tion of the entire being, both phys-

ical and mental, to the control of

the Spirit of God. . . . You can do

all things through Christ who

strengthenth

you."—Testimonies,

vol. 3, p. 84.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

God's Ideals for His Children

(Gen. 1:27

)

Guidance on Diet

(Deut. 14:2)

Jesus and Health

(Matt. 4:23)

The Believer and His Body

(Rom. 12:1)

Spirit-inspired Temperance

(Gal. 5:22, 23)

Health Forevermore

(2 Peter 3:13)

Christianity and Health

LESSON 7



❑

Sunday

November 8



Part 1



On what basis may we be assured of the physical perfection

GOD'S IDEALS of the newly created Adam and Eve?

FOR HIS



CHILDREN



"God created man in his own image, in the image of God

created he him; male and female created he them" (Gen.

1:27).

In His creation of the first man and woman the Creator ex-

pressed His intention toward the human race. By making "man

in his own image" He cast him in a perfect mold, for, by defini-

tion, Deity is perfect. Consequently, Adam and Eve were without

blemish, literally in perfect health, and not subject to disease.

Furthermore, they were models for all mankind. If sin had not

burst into Eden, all human beings would have possessed a

perfect physique and would have enjoyed perfect health and

self-control. Such was God's ideal for His earthly children.

In spite of sin's ruin, what assurance has God given to show

His continuing desire to give health to His children and the

assurance of a return to self-control? Deut. 7:12-15; Ex. 15:26;

23:25. (See also Ps. 103:2-5.)

"Christ had been the guide and teacher of ancient Israel, and

He taught them that health is the reward of obedience to the

laws of God. The Great Physician who healed the sick in Pales-

tine had spoken to His people from the pillar of cloud, telling

them what they must do, and what God would do for them....

Christ gave to Israel definite instruction in regard to their habits

of life, and he assured them, 'The Lord will take away from thee

all sickness.' ... When they fulfilled the conditions, the promise

was verified to them. 'There was not one feeble person among

their tribes.'

"—The Desire of Ages,

p. 824.

Our very salvation depends on the truth of the psalmist's

declaration that the Lord is He "who forgiveth all thine in-

iquities" (Ps. 103:3); and we believe and know that this pardon

is ours in Christ Jesus (1 John 1:9). The full benefit of such

forgiveness, however, will not be enjoyed until we enter into

eternity. May it not be similar, though to a lesser

degree,

with

our health? As we follow Christ's guidance, we shall enjoy

better health and also the prospect of full restoration when "this

mortal shall have put on immortality" (1 Cor. 15:54).



THINK IT THROUGH



What influence does my spiritual condition have upon the

Lord's work in behalf of my health?



FURTHER STUDY



The Ministry of Healing,

pp. 128-130

Christianity and Health

LESSON 7



❑

Monday

November 9

Part 2



What is the spiritual concern that prompts the Lord's inter-

GUIDANCE est in our physical well-being?

ON DIET

"For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the

Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself,

above all the nations that are upon the earth" (Deut. 14:2).

It was no thoughtless act that led our Maker to define clean

and unclean meats. (See Gen. 7:2; Deut. 14:3-21; Lev. 11:1-47.)

The Lord had chosen Israel to be "a special people" above all

the nations (Deut. 7:6). They were to be "his treasured posses-

sion" (NIV), and with this high calling, they were to see them-

selves as "an holy people." To this high end, they were to be

careful in their diet and in other matters, for the sake of spiritual

as well as physical health.

The difference between clean and unclean meats is still to be

observed; and vegetarianism stands on its own merits; but the

prevalence of disease among animals used for food offers a

sound and additional reason why a lacto-ovo-vegetarian

diet—where we can find and pay for it—offers an excellent

solution to the dietary question.

"In teaching health principles, keep before the mind the great

object of reform—that its purpose is to secure the highest de-

velopment of body and mind and soul. Show that the laws of

nature, being the laws of God, are designed for our good; that

obedience to them promotes happiness in this life, and aids in

preparation for the life to come."—The

Ministry of Healing,

146.

What lessons can we learn and apply from the drinking and

eating practices of certain Old Testament characters? Num.

6:2-4; Judges 13:2-5; Jer. 35:1-10; Dan. 1:3-20.

Manoah's wife and son, the Rechabites, the captive royal

Jewish children in Babylon, and the Nazarites—more accu-

rately Nazirites—were willing to deny their appetites and ob-

serve strict temperance principles amid widely differing cir-

cumstances. "True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely

with everything hurtful and to use judiciously that which is

healthful. There are few who realize as they should how much

their habits of diet have to do with their health, their character,

their usefulness in this world, and their eternal destiny."—

Patriarchs and Prophets.

p. 562.



THINK IT THROUGH



The church is called unto purity and holiness, following in

our Master's footsteps. How willing are we to follow scriptural

dietary guidance in fulfillment of our high calling?



FURTHER STUDY



Prophets and Kings,

pp. 479-490

Christianity and Health

LESSON 7



❑

Tuesday

November 10

Part 3

JESUS AND

HEALTH

During His first Galilean tour, how did Jesus demonstrate

His deep concern for mankind's health?

"Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,

and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all

manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the

people" (Matt. 4:23).

There is no room for any doubt concerning the Godhead's

attitude to disease. The beneficent medical ministry of the Son

proclaims to the world that Father, Son, and Spirit are against it.

They want to abolish it. As we saw in part 1 of this week's lesson,

one of the Lord's own self-descriptions is, "I am the Lord that

healeth thee" (Ex. 15:26). And now, the Lord Incarnate demon-

strates His desire to overcome human suffering and to make.His

creatures whole.

"The burden of disease and wretchedness and sin He came to

remove. It was His mission to bring to men complete restora-

tion; He came to give them health and peace and perfection of

character."—The

Ministry of Healing,

p. 17.

As Christ prepared His church to meet the last days, how did

He speak of the indulged craving of appetite in relation to

readiness for His return? Luke 21:34. (Compare Rom. 13:11-

14.)

Our Lord, in His omniscience, knows our need for self-

examination and self-control in matters of appetite. He also

knows that need will increase as pressures grow greater prior to

the end. He therefore urges us, "Do not let your minds be dulled

by dissipation and drunkenness and worldly cares so that the

great Day closes upon you suddenly like a trap" (Luke 21:34,

NEB).

There is real spiritual peril in our appetites for food, drink,

and all kinds of pleasure; and the Saviour here underlines our

personal responsibility for curbing those desires that they not

swamp our spiritual faculties.

"In all ages, temptations appealing to the physical nature

have been most effectual in corrupting and degrading mankind.

Through intemperance, Satan works to destroy the mental and

moral powers that God gave to man as a priceless endowment.

Through sensual indulgence, Satan seeks to blot from the soul

every trace of likeness to God.

"The uncontrolled indulgence and consequent disease and

degradation that existed at Christ's first advent will again exist,

with intensity of evil, before His second coming."—The

Desire

.of Ages,

p. 122.



THINK IT THROUGH



Is my daily health program going to help or hinder my prepa-

ration for meeting the Lord in peace?



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 3, pp. 485-492

Christianity and Health

LESSON 7



❑

Wednesday

November 11

Part 4

THE BELIEVER

AND HIS BODY

What solution to bodily temptations does Paul offer to Chris-

tians? How do I relate to this solution?

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable

unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1).

Those who accept this solution take a great stride in the

conquest of many temptations. The offering, to be effective, has

to be on a continuing basis so that the body always remains

under God's ownership and control. "The body is the only

medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for

the upbuilding of character. Hence it is that the adversary of

souls directs his temptations to the enfeebling and degrading of

the physical powers....

"The body is to be brought into subjection. The higher

powers of the being are to rule. The passions are to be control-

led by the will, which is itself to be under the control of God. The

kingly power of reason, sanctified by divine grace, is to bear

sway in our lives."—The.

Ministry of Healing,

p. 130.

In what picturesque and enlightening way does Paul extend

his teaching concerning our bodies? 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.

For the Christian, this is not a matter of choice, but of fact. By

baptism he has offered back his body to God, who makes of it a

shrine wherein dwells the Holy Spirit. The Christian's body,

then, does not belong to himself. He will choose to use it so that

God is glorified.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual

has long ex-

pressed concern that the followers of Christ should be a godly

people, not adopting the unholy maxims or conforming to the

unrighteous ways of the world, not loving its sinful pleasures or

countenancing its follies. It has indicated that believers should

recognize their bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit and that

therefore they should clothe themselves in neat, modest, dig-

nified apparel. Further, in eating and drinking and in their entire

course of conduct, they have been instructed to shape their

lives as followers of the meek and lowly Master. Adventist fol-

lowers of Christ have been led to abstain from all intoxicating

drinks, tobacco, and other narcotics and to avoid every body-

and soul-defiling habit and practice.



THINK IT THROUGH



What are we doing with our bodies? Does our life-style

encourage the Holy Spirit to live in us?



FURTHER STUDY



Counsels on Diet and Foods,

pp. 43-47

Christianity and Health

LESSON 7



❑

Thursday

November 12

Part 5



What are some of the qualities produced in a Spirit-

SPIRIT-INSPIRED controlled character?

TEMPERANCE

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,

gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against

such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22, 23).

Here we encounter one of Paul's deep insights—the contrast

and conflict between "the works of the flesh" (verses 19-21),

translated byJ. B. Phillips as "the activities of the lower nature,"

and "the fruit" (verse 22), or "the harvest"

(NEB),

of the Spirit.

The last item of "fruit" noted is "temperance" (verse 23), which

comes from a word that is better translated as "self-control."

Temperance therefore has a broader meaning than abstinence.

It includes Spirit-controlled living in every activity—drinking,

eating, sleeping, dressing, working, or pleasure. This is also

God's answer to every false craving and desire.

But there are nine "fruits" in Paul's list. While emphasizing

the ninth, must we not also give similar attention to the other

eight? It is of little use to stress temperance if we fall lamentably

short on the other qualities.

What is God's plan by which we may reach and continue in

the scriptural ideals for personal conduct? 1 Thess. 5:23.

THINK IT THROUGH

Every human being can, if he will, testify to his inability to live

according to Christian ideals. He needs a power outside of

himself that will provide strength to overcome the downward

pull of his lower nature. That power is available; the god of

peace, who is almighty, is well able to make and keep us per-

fectly holy, that we might be spotless at Christ's appearing.

"Apart from divine power, no genuine reform can be effected.

... Not until the life of Christ becomes a vitalizing power in our

lives can we resist the temptations that assail us from within and

from without. . . .

"When one surrenders to Christ, the mind is brought under

the control of the law; but it is the royal law, which proclaims

liberty to every captive."—The

Ministry of Healing,

pp. 130, 131.

While keeping free from the grosser indulgences of drunk-

enness, smoking, gluttony, and sensuality, how do we mea-

sure in the finer qualities listed In Galatians 5:22, 23?

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 473-478

Christianity and Health

LESSON 7



❑

Friday

November 13

Part 6



What is the final goal to which the Christan doctrine of

HEALTH temperance directs its believers?

FOREVERMORE

"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new

heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness"

(2 Peter 3:13).

While temperance or the consistent practice of self-control

yields high dividends in this life, its principal fruitage is fitness

for living in the Holy City and for eternity in the re-created

heavens and earth. Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 9:24-

27, declaring that he disciplined himself on earth in order to

gain a fadeless trophy in the life to come. "Those who enter into

a contest of physical strength for a corruptible prize realize the

necessity of rigid abstinence from every indulgence that would

weaken the spiritual powers. . . .

"How much more should those who enter for the gospel race,

restrain themselves from the unlawful indulgence of appetite

and 'abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.' They

must be temperate at all times. The same restraint that gives

them the power to obtain the victory at one time will, if practiced

'constantly, give them a great advantage in the race for the

crown of life."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Com-

mentary,

vol. 6, p. 1089.

What unique blessings does the heavenly herald promise to

citizens of the earth made new? Rev. 21:3, 4; 22:1-3.

At long, long last! The separation caused by sin has ended.

God and His people are united; they live together forevermore,

and in the Divine presence sin and its sorry results cannot exist.

God Himself permanently removes all need for tears. Death is

abolished because sin and its causes are conquered. There is

no reason for sorrow or crying; there is no more pain. The

redeemed will be forever in perfect physical, mental, and

spiritual fitness. As Isaiah so picturesquely records on God's

behalf: "as the days of a tree are the days of my people" (Isa.

65:22), which may suggest they shall live forever, temperately,

and in undiluted, unmarred health and happiness.

And the relief will not only be ours. Spend time to realize what

the complete removal of sin from the universe will mean to the

Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

Does our present way of life prepare us or unfit us for an

eternity in the sinlessness of the new heavens and the new

earth?

Read the ten verses of Isaiah 35 and give special thought to

those phrases that concern health in this life and the life to

come.

LESSON 8 November 15-21

Spiritual Gifts

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he hath anointed me to

preach the gospel to the poor; he

hath sent me to heal the

brokenhearted, to preach deliverance

to the captives, and recovering of

sight to the blind, to set at liberty

them that are bruised" (Luke 4:18).

We can truly understand the life

and ministry of our Lord only when

we give full weight to the role of

the Holy Spirit in His life journey

from conception to ascension. To

Mary, the angel promised, "The

Holy Ghost shall come upon

thee"; and, as a result, "she was

found with child of the Holy

Ghost" (Luke 1:35; Matt. 1:18). At

Jesus' baptism "the Holy Ghost de-

scended in a bodily shape like a

dove upon him," and "immediately

the spirit driveth him into the wil-

derness," after which "Jesus re-

turned in the power of the Spirit

into Galilee" and there announced,

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon

me" (Luke 3:22; Mark 1:12; Luke

4:14, 18).

If the Son of God needed and

welcomed the Spirit as He worked

to "save his people from their

sins" (Matt. 1:21), surely His

people need the Spirit's power

even more as they seek strength to

resist sin and grace to lead others

to similar victory. And this was in-

deed the pattern followed by the

church from its infancy. In obedi-

ence to the Master's command, its

first members tarried in Jerusalem

(Luke 24:49) until they were en-

dued with power from on high and

were thus enabled to witness to

Christ "both in Jerusalem, and in

all Judaea, and in Samaria, and

unto the uttermost part of the

earth" (Acts 1:8).

We have been called to complete

the work begun by Christ and His

apostles. We do not have the sin-

lessness and singleness of purpose

of the One, neither the apostolic

dedication of the others; but we

can, if we will, have the same

Power from on high that inspired

and sustained them all. The Spirit

Himself is waiting to bestow on us

the needed gifts. Our part is to de-

sire them fervently and to receive

and use them as they are sent.

"The outpouring of the.

Holy

Spirit on the day of Pentecost was

the former rain, but the latter rain

will be more abundant. The Spirit

awaits our demand and reception.

Christ is again to be revealed in His

fulness by the Spirit's power."—

Christ's Object Lessons,

p. 121.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Divine Partnership

(John 14:16)

Promise and Fulfillment

(Acts 1:4)

The Spirit-guided Church

(Acts 4:31)

Gifts in the Church

(1 Cor. 12:28)

The Gift of Prophecy

(1 Cor. 14:3, 4)

The Greatest Gift

(1 Cor. 12:31; 13:13)



Spiritual Gifts



LESSON 8



❑

Sunday

November 15



Part 1



As Jesus faced separation from His beloved disciples, what



DIVINE



provisions did He make for their spiritual welfare?

PARTNERSHIP

"I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Com-

forter, that he may abide with you for ever" (John 14:16).

As we have already noted in the introduction to this week's

study, the Holy Spirit shared in Christ's mission. He had also

worked with and for humanity from the very beginning, though

the Old Testament stress on one God may have veiled man's

grasp of that ministry. But the incarnation, with its divine part-

nership between the Three Persons of the Godhead, enabled

the disciples more clearly to sense the reality of the Spirit. As

Christ had revealed the Father, so, in His life and teachings, He

was revealing the personality of the Spirit. As He neared the

hour when He would "depart out of this world unto the Father,"

He sought to assure the Twelve that the Spirit would continue

the work He Himself had begun.

In what specific ways was the Comforter to work with the

church after Christ's departure? John 14:16, 17, 27; 15:26;

16:7-14.

The Comforter, or Paraclete, or Advocate would console,

stand beside, and plead with and for those who would be left

without the Saviour's own dynamic, sustaining presence.

He would abide with them "for ever." His would be no

temporary presence; there would be no separation unless the

disciples themselves took the step.

He would teach them "all things," reminding them of all

that Christ had revealed and they had only dimly understood.

The Spirit of truth would work not only with believers, but

also with "the world" to convince its peoples of their need of

redemption.

He would guide "into all truth," reveal "things to come,"

and develop what Christ had already taught them.

"Jesus saw that they did not lay hold of the real meaning of

His words..He compassionately promised that the Holy Spirit

should recall these sayings to their minds. And He had left

unsaid many things that could not be comprehended by the

disciples. These also would be opened to them by the

Spirit."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 670.



THINK IT THROUGH



How fully do we allow the Spirit to carry out His mission of

guiding us into all truth?



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 668-672



Spiritual Gifts



LESSON 8



❑

Monday

November 16



Part 2



What do the opening verses of Acts reveal concerning the

PROMISE AND central position of the Spirit in Christ's care for the infant

FULFILLMENT church?

"Being assembled together with them, commanded them

that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the

promise of the Father, which, said he, ye have heard of me"

(Acts 1:4).

The Master had clearly told His disciples to expect the coming

of the Comforter after His own departure (John 16:7), and that

departure was now near. It is clear, however, that this coming of

the Spirit was of a special nature, additional to the fact that He

had been working with Jesus throughout His life and ministry.

The Third Person was now serving with the resurrected Christ to

prepare the eleven for their great responsibilities (Acts 1:2); and

as the weight of their tasks began to be felt, they all the more

readily recalled the promises of the Spirit's help (outlined in our

previous lesson). They were thus very open to the final promise,

just prior to the ascension, that they would receive supernatural

power from the Spirit's coming upon them (verse 8). After see-

ing their Master taken up into heaven, they returned to

Jerusalem and "continued with one accord in prayer and sup-

plication" (verse 14), awaiting the promise of the Father.

In what matchless manner and with what remarkable re-

sults did the Spirit come upon the waiting believers? Acts 2:1,

2, 38-41.

These early Christians must have spent about 10 days in

soul-searching prayer and witnessing, for Pentecost came 50

days after the beginning of Passover. During 40 of those days

their Lord had appeared to them on several occasions (Acts

1:3); then 10 days remained after the ascension. They were 10

days well spent, for they led to the descent of the Spirit.

"They were filled with an intense longing to carry forward the

work He had begun. They realized the greatness of their debt to

heaven and the responsibility of their work. Strengthened by the

endowment of the Holy Spirit, they went forth filled with zeal to

extend the triumphs of the cross.... They had consecrated their

lives to Him for service, and their very features bore evidence of

the surrender they had made."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

p. 46.



THINK IT THROUGH



May the church enjoy a second Day of Pentecost? Study

Joel 2:28-32 and Acts 2 for the answer.



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 35-39



Spiritual Gifts



LESSON 8



❑

Tuesday

November 17



Part 3



What evidence shows that the Spirit's pentecostal descent

THE SPIRIT- was not a one-time or temporary event?

GUIDED



CHURCH



"When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they

were assembled together; and they were all filled with the

Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness"

(Acts 4:31).

The young church had learned its lesson well. Its following of

divine instruction had brought the first, spectacular blessing at

Pentecost, and its leaders and membership were willing to

follow that example in order to enjoy a continuance of that

experience. They reaped a rich reward—deep fellowship with

unity, community of possessions, and great apostolic power

(Acts 4:32, 33).

What further proofs came of God's readiness to give the

Holy Spirit to them that were truly ready to receive Him? Acts

8:14-17, 26-40.

Ellen G. White describes these events as a picture of the work

that we are to do. They show that the Spirit is ever willing to work

with

those who are willing to be guided by Him, and

for

those

who are willing to be instructed by Him. Like Peter, John, and

Philip in these illustrations, we need consciously to cooperate

with the Spirit; then He will use us for the salvation of others.

The recipients of this combined evangelistic attention may be

unaware of the power that is moving on their behalf, but they do

feel a spiritual hunger which, while not fully recognized and not

always understood, longs to be satisfied.

"There are many who are reading the Scriptures who cannot

understand their true import. All over the world men and women

are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries

go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit.

Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be

gathered in.

"An angel guided Philip to the one who was seeking for light

and who was ready to receive the gospel, and today angels will

guide the footsteps of those workers who will allow the Holy

Spirit to sanctify their tongues and refine and ennoble their

hearts. The angel sent to Philip could himself have done the

work for the Ethiopian, but this is not God's way of working. It is

His plan that men are to work for their fellow

men."—TheActs of

the Apostles,

p. 109.



THINK IT THROUGH



When did I last keep the Spirit waiting—while I engaged in

unprofitable use of my time—when He was ready to use me in

bringing others to the Saviour?



FURTHER STUDY



Gospel Workers,

pp. 284-289

Spiritual Gifts

LESSON 8



❑

Wednesday

November 18

Part 4

GIFTS IN

THE CHURCH

THINK IT THROUGH

In guiding the Corinthians, how does Paul list the variety of

spiritual gifts provided by God for the church?

"God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondar-

ily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of

healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues" (1 Cor.

12:28).

The fact that a whole chapter is devoted to the subject of

spiritual gifts reveals their importance in the life of the church.

In his summing up (1 Cor. 12:28), the apostle refers to eight

different gifts borne by different church members. The number-

ing of the gifts suggests an order of importance, with apostle-

ship ranking first and the use of tongues standing last. That this

list does not cover all the gifts is clear from verses 4 to

11,

where

others are mentioned—namely, wisdom, knowledge, faith,

speaking in and interpretation of tongues.

A large, mature church might reasonably expect to find all of

the gifts distributed among its membership. Christians are

urged to "covet earnestly the best [or greater, or higher] gifts"

(verse 31), suggesting that it is fitting to ask the Spirit for be-

stowal of suitable gifts—ever remembering that these are even

then distributed according to divine wisdom (verse 11).

Compare the above listing with that given by Paul in Ephe-

sians 4:8-11.

Paul does not here enter on as full a survey of gifts as he had

done earlier in 1 Corinthians 12, for his purpose is different. He

is here concerned with unity; hence he refers to the gifts—

several forms of church ministry—that will promote this highly

desirable state. However, there is harmony between 1 Corinthi-

ans 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11, for the purpose is the same in

each chapter—the furtherance of unity (1 Cor. 12:11, 12; Eph.

4:2-6).

This purpose is further outlined in Ephesians 4:12, 13, where

the apostle's wealth of meaning can be better savored by the

free rendering that follows: The gifts are given for equipping the

saints for a work of service or ministry that will build up Christ's

body (that is, the church), until we all attain to the oneness or

unity of the faith and the personal, experiential knowledge of

God's Son, which will lead us to perfect or mature manhood

measured against the stature of Christ or of Christ in His full-

ness.

Study the passage just above, phrase by phrase, and ask

the question, Are the Spirit's gifts gaining their stated pur-

poses in my life as a member of Christ's church, especially in

respect to unity?

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 5, pp. 619-621; vol. 8, pp. 239-243

Spiritual Gifts

LESSON 8



❑

Thursday

November 19

Part 5

THE GIFT OF

PROPHECY

What high place does the apostle give to the spiritual gift of

prophecy in contrast to that of speaking with tongues?

"He that prophesieth speaketh unto men unto edification,

and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown

tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the

church" (1 Cor. 14:3, 4).

The biblical understanding of prophecy is not limited to a

foretelling of the future, but also includes the ministry of coun-

seling, of communicating God's will to the church and its indi-

vidual members. Paul, therefore, exalts the office of prophet in

preference to that of a speaker of tongues—known or unknown.

Prophecy is given second place in his lists of spiritual gifts

(1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11), and its operation played an important

part in the development of the early church (Acts 2:17, 18; 11:27,

28; 13:1; 15:32; 21:8-10). To a more limited extent, each age of

the church has been served by those who possessed one or

more aspects of the gift of prophecy. But Scripture shows that

in the last days, prior to Christ's triumphant return, the pro-

phetic gift will function no less prominently than it did in the

founding of the church.

To which prophecy did Peter appeal in his historic sermon at

Pentecost? Acts 2:16-18.

Under the Spirit's guidance the apostle applied Joel's

prophecy (Joel 2:28, 29) to the last days of the Jewish nation,

which were the first days of the Christian church. But Joel's

words primarily apply to "the great and terrible day of the Lord"

(Joel 2:31), which is the last day—the day when Christ will come

in glory. The gift of prophecy is to prepare men and women who

live in that day to meet their Lord in peace and with joy.

Seventh-day Adventists believe that the prophetic gift has

been bestowed on the church in the last days in the work and

writings of Ellen G. White. They believe that her prophetic minis-

try serves as one of the identifying features of the remnant

church. The foretelling of that gift in the church is seen in

Revelation 12:17, with an explanation in chapter 19:10.

The function of Ellen G. White's prophetic gift has not only

unveiled the future, but has guided the church in its develop-

ment, fortified it in the fulfillment of its mission, and given its

membership a wealth of Bible-based, Christ-centered counsel

that is unsurpassed in spiritual quality.



THINK IT THROUGH



In what special ways can the prophetic gift help the remnant

church fulfill its last-day mission?



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies to Ministers,

pp. 112-115



Spiritual Gifts



LESSON 8



❑

Friday

November 20



Part 6



Which of all the Spirit's gifts stands highest with the Holy

THE GREATEST Spirit?

GIFT

"Covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a

more excellent way."

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the

greatest of these is charity" (1 Cor. 12:31; 13:13).

No one could accuse Paul of not having dealt thoroughly,

within the limits of one long letter, with the topic of spiritual

gifts; yet, as he meditated on the subject, he realized he had not

yet even mentioned the greatest gift of all. He had been saving

that till last, and then he writes one of the greatest pieces of

religious literature ever penned, which we identify as 1 Corin-

thians 13 (there were no chapter or verse divisions in the origi-

nal letter).

The theme is

charity

a seventeenth-century translation of the

Greek

agape,

which has long since been more meaningfully

rendered as love, and that of the loftiest kind. Without posses-

sion of this gift, says Paul, we are nothing. We might have the

gift of tongues or prophecy, the ability to understand all mys-

teries and specialized knowledge, mountain-moving faith, un-

selfish willingness to face martyrdom by burning, yet if spiritual

love does not inspire and permeate the exercise of those gifts,

their use is profitless. The all-surpassing greatness of love need

not surprise us, for the highest definition of God is the so-well-

known, but still so-little-understood declaration—"God is

love." Small wonder, then, that we can only possess that

greatest of all qualities as His supreme gift.

What position does love occupy in Paul's list of Spirit-given

fruits? Gal. 5:22, 23.

The priority given to love

(agape)

in this listing of finest Chris-

tian qualities and the unequivocal exaltation of love in the

Corinthian letter convince us of the necessity of having love as

the spiritual essence that gives special flavor to all other noble

gifts.

"Supreme love for God and unselfish love for one another—

this is the best gift that our heavenly Father can bestow. This

love is not an impulse, but a divine principle, a permanent

power. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it.

Only in the heart where Jesus reigns is it found. 'We love Him,

because He first loved us.' In the heart renewed by divine grace,

love is the ruling principle of action."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

p. 551.



THINK IT THROUGH



How

earnestly

do we desire the Holy Spirit to,give us, in full

measure, the greatest

of His many gifts?



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 5, pp. 167-171

LESSON 9 November 22-28

9. Christian

"Lay up for yourselves treasures in

heaven, where neither moth nor rust

doth corrupt, and where thieves do

not break through nor steal: for

where your treasure is, there will

your heart be also" (Matt. 6:20, 21).

Our Lord's teaching has a dis-

tinctly otherworld flavor. That is

not surprising in One whose

"kingdom is not of this world."

Those who intend to follow Him

must obtain the same otherworldly

philosophy, even when dealing

with such worldly matters as in-

come and possessions. They will

seek to "lay up . . . treasures in

heaven," knowing that such a pol-

icy is wiser in every way than that

of accumulating "treasures upon

earth."

These thoughts lead our minds

to stewardship, which, from a

Christian viewpoint, may be de-

fined as the unselfish use of the

resources God has given us, be

they in the form of money, posses-

sions, circumstances, or in the less

tangible but no less useful gifts of

time, health, intelligence, influ-

ence, and abilities.

In Adventist circles, we tend to

think that stewardship means re-

turning the tithe, and it also

suggests to more and more mem-

bers the giving of the same amount

te r s a

for freewill offerings and for gen-

eral church expense. But a respon-

sive heart will also wish to care for

many other needs, especially those

connected with human welfare

both in and outside of the church.

We must guard against a hardening

of the "heart-eries," for such,a dis-

ease is spiritually fatal. If skeptical

questions be fired about the

genuineness of some appeals that

reach us, we should not take all

such queries as reasons for closing

our minds and our pockets. As Dr.

Atterbury, an eighteenth-century

divine, once asked, "Shall we re-

pine at a little misplaced charity,

we who could no way foresee the

effect—when an all-knowing, all-

wise Being showers down every

day His benefits on the unthankful

and undeserving?"

One way to obtain funds for

satisfying our responsibilities in

stewardship is to reduce the size of

our wants. That process is not an

easy one, for there are so many

pressures, from without and

within, to increase our desires! But

God's Spirit can help us to keep

their size and number in check,

and we shall be able to respond to

a wider number of genuine needs

in the troubled world around us.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Creator and Owner

(Gen. 2:15)

Religion and Arithmetic

(Num. 18:21)

Religion and Giving

(Deut. 12:6)

Religion and Our Possessions

(Rom. 14:7)

Religion and Others

(James 1:27)

Blessings on Stewardship

(Mal. 3:10)

Christian Stewardship

LESSON 9



❑

Sunday

November 22



Part 1



What task did the Lord God place upon Adam immediately

CREATOR after Creation? For what purposes?

AND OWNER

"The Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of

Eden to dress it and to keep it" (Gen. 2:15).

Nothing could have been more natural to Adam than to ac-

cept the God-given work of gardening. He was occupier of the

largest country estate ever owned by man, and with undimmed

mind and unsapped strength he must have delighted in the duty

of caring for the natural glories that surrounded him. When Eve

stood by his side, they had the joy of planning a leisurely,

unrestricted development of the endless resources that were

theirs, with no sin-born handicaps to turn pleasure into a bur-

den. Yet even in their innocence they were but tenants, placed

in newly created perfection "to dress it and to keep it."

"So long as they remained loyal to the divine law, their capac-

ity to know, to enjoy, and to love would continually increase.

They would be constantly gaining new treasures of knowledge,

discovering fresh springs of happiness, and obtaining clearer

and yet clearer conceptions of the immeasurable, unfailing love

God."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

p. 51.

To whom has the earth always belonged? Deut. 10:14; Ps.

24:1.

Since God is the Most High, He does not answer to any higher

power, but to Himself alone. All He sees—and He sees all—

belongs to Him. As Creator, He is also the Owner. But being free

of any taint of egotism or selfishness, He does not hug His

boundless wealth to Himself; rather, He finds satisfaction in

sharing responsibility for its use with those whom He has

created. Even after sin had spoiled their paradise, our first

parents continued as stewards of their Lord's property, though

under much less pleasant circumstances. But God did not re-

place them, and men and women have ever since been His

agents, whether they knew it or not, answerable to the divine

Landlord, even though most of them do not acknowledge His

ownership.

"The earth is the Lord's, and all the treasures it contains. The

cattle upon a thousand hills are His. All the gold and silver

belongs to Him. He has entrusted His treasures to stewards, that

with them they may advance His cause and glorify His

name."—Testimonies,

vol. 2, p. 652.



THINK IT THROUGH



Are we faithful, as tenants of any property the Creator has

placed in our care? What profit does the Lord receive from our

stewardship?



FURTHER STUDY



Patriarchs and Prophets,

pp. 47-51

Christian Stewardship

LESSON 9



❑

Monday

November 23

Part 2

RELIGION AND

ARITHMETIC

Under God's government, what was the plan for Israel's

support of its priesthood? How might it fail?

"Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in

Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve,

even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation" (Num.

18:21).

The Levites were set apart for full-time sacred service on

behalf of Israel and had no time in which to earn their own living.

The Lord therefore ordained that they should be supported by

one tenth, or a tithe, from the income of the members of the

other eleven tribes. "But the tithing system did not originate

with the Hebrews. From the earliest times the Lord claimed a

tithe as His, and this claim was recognized and honored. Abra-

ham paid tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God.

... Jacob, when at Bethel, an exile and a wanderer, promised the

Lord, 'Of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth

unto Thee.' ... As the Israelites were about to be established as a

nation, the law of tithing was reaffirmed as one of the divinely

ordained statutes upon obedience to which their prosperity

depended."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

p. 525.

Note the Bible's record that the custom of tithing continued

among God's chosen people over a span of eight to nine

hundred years. 2 Chron. 31:5, 6; Neh. 10:37, 38.

If we accept the fifteenth century B.C. as the time of the

Exodus, about 700 years elapsed before Hezekiah came to

Judah's throne, some 5 years before Samaria fell to the Assyr-

ians in 721 B.C. Hezekiah brought his people back to the Lord.

Among other reforms, he encouraged them to renewed faith-

fulness in tithing and in offerings for support of the temple

services. About 120 years later (about 605 B.C.) Judah fell to

Nebuchadnezzar, and the Jews were deported to Babylon,

where they eventually established a Jewish way of life. When a

large body returned to Judah in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah

(457 and 445 B.C.), we find them ready to pay tithes to the

Levites and resolving not to "forsake the house of our God"

(Neh. 10:39). Some 40 years afterward, however, religious fervor

had cooled; and Malachi had to exhort both priests and people

to renewed faithfulness in worship and in support of their relig-

ion. It is thus clear that not only did tithing precede God's rule

over Israel, but that it continued and survived it; and, as New

Testament readers know, it was practiced in Christ's own day

(Matt. 23:23).



THINK IT THROUGH



Consider tithing, not as an imposed requirement, but as a

fair principle suited to all peoples.



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 9, pp. 253-256

Christian Stewardship

LESSON 9



❑

Tuesday

November 24

Part 3



What did the Israelites bring to the Lord in addition to their

RELIGION tithes?

AND GIVING

"Thither shall ye bring your burnt offerings, and your sac-

rifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and

your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of

your herds and of your flocks" (Deut. 12:6).

Tithes supported the Levites in the performance of their sa-

cred duties, while the freewill offerings made possible the many

other forms of religious and charitable service that belonged to

Israel.

"The contributions required of the Hebrews for religious and

charitable purposes amounted to fully one fourth of their

income."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

p. 527. "There are many

who have looked upon the Jewish nation as a people to be pitied

because they were constantly taxed for the support of their

religion; but God, who created man and provided him with all

the blessings he enjoys, knew what was for his best good. And

through His blessing He made their nine tenths worth more to

them than the entire amount without His blessing."—

Testimonies,

vol. 3, p. 404.

There is great significance for the church in Paul's en-

dorsement of the principle on which tithing is based. 1 Cor.

9:11-14.

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

As the church grew, its members realized the need of system-

atic giving for the support of its ministry and the furtherance of

the gospel. In the ancient custom of tithing there was a ready-

made system that had divine approval and would meet the

Christian community's needs. The plan distributes responsibil-

ity on a proportionate basis, "For unto whomsoever much is

given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48); while the

converse is also true, he who has little being only expected to

contribute little.

A similar principle applies to freewill offerings. However, we

should always remember the widow and her mite (Mark 12:41-

44)! Gaining wealth becomes a habit easily, and it is danger-

ously possible to hug more to onself as one obtains more. The

Master knew this, and so He warned His followers: "Beware of

covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance

of the things he possesseth." He then told of the covetous but

foolish farmer who built bigger barns instead of sharing some of

his prosperity with needy neighbors. (See Luke 12:15-21.)

The claim that nine tenths with God's blessings goes farther

than ten tenths without it is unusual arithmetic, but many

Christians have "proved" God in this matter. Have we?

S.D.A. Church Manual,

chapter on Gospel Finance

Christian Stewardship

LESSON 9



❑

Wednesday

November 25



Part 4



Our possessions are not limited to money and the goods that

RELIGION

money can buy. There are other gifts, whether seen or not, of

AND OUR

which a Christian is called to be a steward. The Lord has given

POSSESSIONS

these for a twofold purpose—for our enjoyment and for the

benefit of others. Most of us are well able to fulfill the first

goal—we instinctively take care of ourselves. But it is all too

easy for us to neglect the second—our use of the other gifts to

bring happiness to others.

Which scripture expresses the principle on which such use

of gifts Is based?

"For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to him-

self" (Rom. 14:7).

Whether we like it or not, our lives touch those of our

neighbors. We therefore need a sympathetic awareness of their

circumstances and outlook and a willingness to meet their

needs. We all have possessions the use of which might benefit

others besides ourselves—there are our homes, our gardens

and their produce, our cars, our tools, our skills. Stewardship in

such areas comes so easily to some, with such effort to others,

but it is possible for all who yield to the Spirit's promptings.

Note Jesus' summary of His disicples' duty toward others.

Matt. 10:7, 8.

This commission was not given to the Twelve alone. Its

motivating principle, that of service based on gratitude, applies

equally well to us today. We can be useful stewards of our

intellectual gifts, our scriptural and spiritual knowledge, our

artistic talents, our musical abilities, our social accomplish-

ments, and our developing compassions. The hearts and minds

God has given us can be used for His glory and the salvation of

our neighbors.

"We should feel it our special duty to work for those living in

our neighborhood. Study how you can best help those who take

no interest in religious things. As you visit your friends and

neighbors, show an interest in their spiritual as well as in their

temporal welfare. Speak to them of Christ as a sin-pardoning

Saviour. Invite your neighbors to your home, and read with them

from the precious Bible and from books that explain its

truths."—The

Ministry of Healing,

p. 152.



THINK IT THROUGH



What effect is a broadening concept of stewardship having

upon my Christian service?

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 6, pp. 254-260

Christian Stewardship

LESSON 9



❑

Thursday

November 26



Part 5



On which vital points of true religion does James focus the

RELIGION Christian's attention?

AND OTHERS

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is

this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and

to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).

This verse needs to be studied in its setting in order to avoid

an unbalanced interpretation of its message. It is the climax to.

the writer's counsel begun in verse 22, where he stresses deeds

above words. His purpose in verse 27 is not to give a theological

definition of "pure religion and undefiled," but to explain that in

God's eyes genuine religion includes care of orphans and

widows, who represent all who need Christian compassion and

service. A necessary part of stewardship, then, is the use of

one's time, energy, sympathy, and money in the care of those

who cannot adequately care for themselves.

In what ways does Jesus' teaching of the Christian duty of

promptly caring for the unfortunate apply to us today? Luke

10:25-37.

The parable is too well known to need detailed exposition

here, but we might well note the two questions that led to its

application. "Master," inquired the lawyer, "what shall I do to

inherit eternal life?" Later, he asked, "Who is my neighbour?"

Christ's reply to the first inquiry emphasized the paramount

importance of love to God and to our neighbors, while the

second response established need as the basis for neighborly

assistance, though that need cut across racial and social prej-

udices. The application is nothing but practical: "Go, and do as

the Samaritan did!"

The Lord's instruction shows that stewardship includes the

generous use of compassion; first aid when no medical service

is at hand, the application of simple emergency remedies, the

use of our own car or other available means of transport to the

nearest medical facility, readiness to give financial aid where

needed, and a continuing interest in the welfare of the one we

have tried to help.

Christ "showed that our neighbor does not mean merely one

of the church or faith to which we belong. It has no reference to

race, color, or class distinction. Our neighbor is every person

who needs our

help."—Christ's Object Lessons,

p. 376.



THINK IT THROUGH



Where lies the power to resist the temptation to practice

selfishness in our religion?



FURTHER STUDY



Isa. 58:6-14; Matt. 25:34-46

Christian Stewardship

LESSON 9



111

Friday

November 27

Part 6

BLESSINGS ON

STEWARDSHIP

THINK IT THROUGH

When the tithing plan is faithfully followed, of what may the

participant be assured?

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may

be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the

Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and

pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to

receive it" (Mal. 3:10).

Here we find three good reasons for returning a tenth of our

total income to the Lord: (1) The plan is authorized by God. (2)

The plan is used by God for the support of His work on earth. (3)

Taking part in the plan produces God's rich blessing. While we

do not follow the plan to obtain the blessing, the blessing comes

when, in willing obedience to the divine urging, we bring "all the

tithes into the storehouse."

"If all the tithes of our people flowed into the treasury of the

Lord as they should, such blessings would be received that gifts

and offerings for sacred purposes would be multiplied tenfold,

and thus the channel between God and man would be kept

open."—Testimonies,

vol. 4, p. 474.

What does Christ promise those who are generous givers?

Luke 6:38.

While the Master makes rigorous demands on His followers,

He also promises

rich rewards to those who follow His own

sacrificial example. Many a time the rewards will seem out of all

proportion to the relative little that we have given. They will be

"good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and run-

ning over," until the recipient protests that he by no means

merits such abundant blessings—and that will be true. But the

harvest follows a divinely ordained formula—we reap what we

have sown. "He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bounti-

fully" (2 Cor. 9:6). The converse is also true—"he which soweth

sparingly shall reap also sparingly."

When it comes to giving, let us err on the side of generosity,

even if our gifts sometimes seem to go astray. "The followers of

Christ should not wait for thrilling missionary appeals to arouse

them to action. If spiritually awake, they would hear in the

income of every week, whether much or little, the voice of God

and of conscience with authority demanding the tithes and

offerings due the

Lord."—Testimonies,

vol. 4, p. 474.

Let each Sabbath School member review his or her own

record as a steward and ponder the blessings that have fol-

lowed faithfulness.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 3, pp. 381-385

LESSON 10 November 29 to December 5

10.71G Chuffich

"He is the head of the body, the

church: who is the beginning, the

firstborn from the dead; that in all

things he might have the preemi-

nence" (Col. 1:18).

To provide interested readers

with the background of the word

church

and in order to leave the

daily sections of this week's lesson

uncluttered by concerns of lan-

guage, we use this space to study

the ancestry of our word

church.

The original biblical texts use four

words that relate to our concept of

"church"—two being Hebrew and

two being Greek:

'edah,

the primary meaning of

which is "appointed meetinr or

"assembly." This occurs mainly in

the early books of the Old Testa-

ment, where it is generally trans-

lated "congregation" (124 times).

qahal,

which is derived from

the verb "to call together" or "to

assemble," with its noun also sig-

nifying "congregation" (86 times),

"assembly," "company."

The word

qahal,

which has al-

most the meaning of

'edah,

ap-

pears more frequently in the later

Old Testament books. These two

words are the Old Testament terms

that come nearest to the Christian

concept of "church," but they fall

short of the intensely spiritual fac-

tors attached to the corresponding

New Testament image.

The next of these words is

found in the Septuagint (the Greek

version of the Old Testament, rep-

resented by the Roman numerals

LXX). It employs the word

sunagoge

(synagogue) to translate

the Hebrew

'edah.

It is developed

from two Greek words,

sun,

"with" or "together," and

ago,

"to

bring," giving the thought of

"bringing together," therefore "a

gathering" or "an assembly."

In the later Old Testament

books—where

qahal

generally re-

places

'edah—the

LXX employs

ekklesia

(from

ek,

"out of," and

kale6,

"to call," hence "called

out"), the last of these four biblical

words. It was used in the Greek

world for discussion of or decision

concerning public business, there-

fore, "an assembly" instead of

sunagoge.

Such usage undoubtedly

prepared the way for its use by the

apostles to designate the Christian

assembly which the New Testament

knows as the church.

In addition, there is also the

Greek

kuriakos,

"belonging to the

Lord." This was first applied to the

building or place where the church

met. Later it was used for the

church itself. It moved into Euro-

pean languages as

kirche

(Ger-

man),

kirk

(Scot), and

church

(En-

glish). But

kuriakos

is never so

used in the New Testament.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

In the Old Testament

(Deut.

7:6)

In the Master's Ministry

(Matt. 16:18)

The Apostolic Church

(Acts 2:41)

Christ and His Church

(Col. 1:18)

Pictures of the Church

The Remnant Church

(Rev. 14:12)

The Church

LESSON 10



❑

Sunday

November 29

Part 1

IN THE OLD

TESTAMENT

Consider God's purpose for Israel as expressed in their

selection. Consider their response.

"For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord

thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself,

above all people that are upon the face of the earth" (Deut.

7:6).

Here and in similar passages (for example, Deut. 4:20; 14:2;

26:18, 19; Ex. 6:7; 19:5, 6) Scripture makes it clear that the Lord

called Israel from among all other nations to be an exhibit or

demonstration of what sinful men and women could become by

His enabling grace.

This divine intention had already been revealed by the rescue

of Noah and his family from the Flood (Gen. 6:5-9, 17, 18; 7:1;

9:8-17), in the call and career of Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3 and

onward), of Jacob (Gen. 28:10-15), and of the children of Israel

(Ex. 19:3-6). Through His chosen people God planned to bring

all others under his own kind rule for their true and lasting

happiness.

How does Stephen describe those with whom God made His

covenant at Sinai? Acts 7:37, 38.

Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin and, until he was vio-

lently stopped, reviewed God's providences as given from

Abraham to Solomon. Like Peter (Acts 3:22-26), he applied to

the incarnate Son of God the prophecy spoken by Moses con-

cerning the coming of a prophet. In Acts 7:38 Stephen identifies

the "prophet" with "the angel which spake to him [Moses] in the

mount Sina [that is, Sinai]," while he describes the Israelites as

"the church in the wilderness." In this setting, the word here

translated "church

(ekklasia) would be better rendered "as-

sembly" or "congregation." At the same time, we must recog-

nize that Luke, the author of Acts, was writing for Christians and

that elsewhere in his book (19 times) he, without question, uses

ekklasia

for "church." There is little doubt, then, that the New

Testament believers saw the Old Testament assembly or con-

gregation as the forerunner of the Christian church.



THINK IT THROUGH



As a member of His church, how far do I fulfill the Lord's

intent as given in Deuteronomy 7:6?



FURTHER STUDY



The book par excellence for the study of the church is the

Epistle to the Ephesians. It is suggested that we slowly, thought-

fully, prayerfully consider selected passages for this week's

Further Study

sections. The passage chosen for today is chap-

ter 1:1-10.

The Church

LESSON 10



❑

Monday

November 30



Part 2



In what momentous words did the Master announce the

IN THE founding of His church?

MASTER'S



MINISTRY



"I say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will

build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against

it" (Matt. 16:18).

We should mark well the setting of this declaration (verses

13-20). The central question is the identity of the Son of man

(verse 13). The answer comes in Simon Peter's confession

(verse 16). Christ's reference to "my church" (verse 18) arises

from Peter's declaration and is not basic to it. From it we learn

that the church—My church, that is Christ's own churdh, the

Christian church—was not then built. Its construction lay still in

the future.

This does not deny the reality of the Old Testament church,

but it does spell a change from the earlier tradition. The change

was brought about by the Son's advent and the universal scope

of the institution He was then establishing. The founding of that

church was accompanied by no fanfare of trumpets, but by the

quiet announcement to the small circle of His chosen Twelve.

Through the faithful witness of those disciples, the church

reached out to the ends of the world and has drawn into its

fellowship people of every nation.

"Not on the rock of human strength, but on Christ Jesus, the

Rock of Ages, was the church founded, 'and the gates of hell

shall not prevail against it.'

"—Prophets and Kings,

pp. 595, 596.

What authority did Jesus bestow on the disciples for the

government of His church? Matt. 16:19; 18:18-20.

The Saviour knew His remaining days on earth were few. He

therefore placed authority upon Peter "as the representative of

the whole body of believers. . . .

" 'The keys of the kingdom of heaven' are the words of Christ.

All the words of Holy Scripture are His, and are here

included."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 413. But the disciples were

not left to their own methods. The Master's authority under-

girded them and their successors for the right conduct of the

church's business, and by His Spirit He was ever present to

guide them into right decisions. There is a neat phrase from the

Latin that sums up the relationship between the Lord and His

church—Where Christ is, there is the church.



THINK IT THROUGH



What is our level of awareness of Christ's lordship over the

church, and how submissive are we to His leadership?



FURTHER STUDY



Ephesians 1:11-23—see the power of Christ in His church.

The Church

LESSON 10



❑

Tuesday

December 1

Part 3

THE

APOSTOLIC

CHURCH

THINK IT THROUGH

When did significant growth begin in the early Christian

community? What was the cause of this growth?

"Then they that gladly received his [Peter's] word were

baptized: and the same day there were added unto them

about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41).

Until Pentecost the infant church was composed of those, few

in number, who had responded to Christ's own ministry. As a

result of Pentecost (sometimes known as "the birthday of the

church")—when the apostles had become the Spirit's effective

instruments—some 3000 accepted the Saviour's personal invi-

tation, answered His servants' appeals, were baptized, and

greatly strengthened the church. Their very number called for

organization and accelerated the development of church order.

But no infallible blueprint dropped from heaven; the leaders

adopted no ready-made, sophisticated system of government.

Instead, as the need arose, they engaged in prayer and group

discussion, sought the Spirit's counsel, followed it, and found

the best ways to conduct church business. (See Acts 6:1-8;

15:1-31.)

What fuller evidence does Acts provide concerning the de-

velopment of church organization? Acts 9:31; 20:28.

The preferred reading of Acts 9:31 speaks of "the church"

rather than "the churches." This is significant, for it harmonizes

with the Lord's own words that we studied in yesterday's lesson.

The reference is not to membership of local churches, but to a

corporate group of churches that together composed "the

church." The conversion of Saul brought ''''rest"—literally,

"peace"—to the persecuted Christians; and, as a result, the

church was "edified" or "built up" and grew as the number of

believers steadily increased.

With the exception of Acts 20:28, which speaks of "the church

of God"—a phrase which might justly be taken as a reference to

the church membership as a spiritual entity rather than as a

local congregation—the other 19 references in Acts to

"church" or "churches" are to local groups. The one apparent

exception (Acts 2:47) carries no weight, since the words "to the

church" do not appear in the best manuscripts. Luke's account,

however, does provide a picture of rapid growth, of the found-

ing of many groups of Christians, and of the emergence of the

concept of the church as embracing all believers in the ever-

increasing number of local congregations.

As members of local congregations, what can we do to

strengthen ties with the worldwide church?

FURTHER STUDY



Ephesians 4:1-16

The Church

LESSON 10



❑

Wednesday

December 2

Part 4

CHRIST AND

HIS CHURCH

What strength is there for us in Christ's relationship to the

church and in the church's relationship to Christ?

"He is the head of the body, the church: who is the begin-

ning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might

have the preeminence" (Col. 1:18).

We use the week's memory verse to impress on our minds

Christ's first place in relation to the church. We would not wish

to lose sight of the Head while studying the body, for we recog-

nize that no living body exists apart from a living head. The

headship of Christ saves us from seeing the church as a late

development—an afterthought—and sets its genesis in times

eternal.

The human body is used in several scriptures to illustrate the

vital relationship that exists between Christ and His church (see

Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 1:22, 23; 4:15,16; 5:23, 30; Col.

1:24). In particular, our text emphasizes that Christ is the head

and the church is the body. This is more than an illustration—it

is an expression of a timeless truth. Christ, who is "the begin-

ning" and "beginner," who is "the first," "the preeminent,"

"the supreme"—He, as Creator, always has been and ever will

be first. He is also the controller, even as the head controls the

body. As the body is subject to the directives that come from the

head, so is the church subject to Christ. It can own no other

master and remain the church. Indeed, when the body ceases to

obey the head, it is diseased and on its way to death. Happy are

those sections of the church that with spiritual integrity ac-

knowledge Christ as their Head!

What exalted office does Christ fill as Head of the church?

Eph. 5:23.

The body cannot save itself or its head, except as it obeys the

injunctions that come from the head. The analogy is richly

fulfilled in Christ's ministry for the church. He not only saves it

by giving the right directives, protecting it from self-injury and

destruction; but He has given Himself—His own life—to save

the church from eternal death. If He, the Head, had not sacrifi-

cially died, the church would have no life. Indeed, it would have

been stillborn. How willingly subject to His kind biddings the

church ought then to be!



THINK IT THROUGH



As a part of the body of Christ, how obedient am Ito the

signals that come from the Head?



FURTHER STUDY



Ephesians 5:22, 23

The Church

LESSON 10



❑

Thursday

December 3

Part 5

PICTURES OF

THE CHURCH

THINK IT THROUGH

What lessons can be drawn from New Testament titles that

are given to the church?

In addition to being called "the body of Christ" (1 Cor. 12:27;

Eph. 4:12), the Christian church is given these descriptions:

The temple of God.

Eph. 2:19-22. There are several

illustrations taken from the building trade in this one of Paul's

many long sentences. Mention of "fellowcitizens" and "house-

hold" (verse 19) suggests a city and a house; "foundation" and

"cornerstone" (verse 20) refer to construction; "framed" and

"temple" and "habitation" (verses 21, 22) are linked to edifices;

while "built," "building," and "builded" specifically apply to

the erection of a temple. (Compare 1 Peter 2:5.) The Greek word

used here and generally in the epistles and the Revelation for

"temple" is

naos,

which refers to the inner sanctuary, and not

hieron,

which is used for the complete temple complex.

Naos

may therefore be translated as "sanctuary," which is most ap-

propriate to the spiritual concept of the individual Christian and

the corporate body of the church as being the dwelling place or

sanctuary of the Most High.

Jerusalem, the heavenly Jerusalem, the New Jerusalem.

Gal. 4:26; Heb. 12:22, 23; Rev. 21:2, 3. The image of the city may

not be so clear as that of the sanctuary. The revelator describes

the Holy City both as a "bride," "the Lamb's wife" (21:2, 9),

which is a clear reference to the church, and also as the capital

city of the new earth (verse 10). But there is no contradiction

here. John sees both the city and its holy inhabitants, or the city

containing the church. (Compare Psalm 48, which speaks of the

church as Mount Zion.)

Pillar and ground of the truth.

1 Tim. 3:15. The apostle

identifies "the house of God, which is the church of the living

God," which he then defines as "the pillar and ground

[hed-

raidma,

foundation or mainstay] of the truth." The thought is a

little complex, but one very important function of the church

emerges—it is to be the sustainer, and, by extension, the re-

pository of truth.

The kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven.

Strictly

speaking, this is not a title for the church; but, for the duration of

human history, the kingdom and the church are almost identi-

cal. Matthew speaks almost exclusively of "the kingdom of

heaven," while Mark and Luke prefer "the kingdom of God,"

indicating that the different titles refer to the same kingdom,

which is closely related to the church.

Am I, as a member of the church of the Living God, a conse-

crated unit, albeit small, in the sanctuary or habitation of my

God?

FURTHER STUDY



Ephesians 2:11-22

The Church

LESSON 10



❑

Friday

December 4

Part 6

THE REMNANT

CHURCH

What qualities are expected of the remnant—the church

that is linked to the giving of the three angels' messages?

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep

the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev.

14:12).

This latter-day church—specifically, the Seventh-day Advent-

ist Church—flourishing just prior to the return of the Son of man

(verses 13-16), will possess the regular qualities that have

characterized the true church in every age. (See

S.D.A. Bible

Commentary, vol.

7, pp. 814, 815.) But to cope with the last-day

stresses, it will also need the special endowments listed in verse

12:

The patience of the saints.

In the context of persecution

(compare Rev. 12:17) this covers more than forbearance. It

includes strong elements of fortitude, which saints need when

brought under the wrath of the dragon power.

Keep the commandments of God.

In the original, there is

no word for "here" at this point. The phrase may therefore be

taken as a further definition of "saints"—they are command-

ment keepers. Since no one commandment is mentioned, we

may understand that God's nonceremonial commands are in-

tended, those in the Decalogue and others that have been given

to the church on other occasions since Sinai.

The faith of Jesus.

This also further describes the saints.

In addition to keeping the commandments, they keep the faith

of Jesus—that is, they retain and use the faith that Jesus had, or

they keep their faith in Jesus. They will, in fact, retain both.

What is God's eternal purpose with respect to His church in

all ages? Eph. 3:8-11.

Since this passage is too rich in meaning to be studied in full

here, we can only consider the core (verses 10 and 11). God's

eternal intention has been that the church should be the

medium through which His manifold wisdom—multi-colored,

much-variegated, of infinite diversity and sparkling beauty—is

displayed to the watching universe, to the principalities and

powers in heavenly places. What a responsibility for the church!

"The church is the depositary of the wealth of the riches of the

grace of Christ, and through the church eventually will be made

manifest the final and full display of the love of God to the world

that is to be lightened with its g

lory."—Testimonies to Ministers,

p. 50.



THINK IT THROUGH



How faithfully does our church, and we as its members, ful-

fill our Lord's eternal purpose?



FURTHER STUDY



Ephesians 3:1-12

LESSON 11 December 6-12

"Without faith it is impossible to

please him: for he that cometh to

God must believe that he is, and that

he is a rewarder of them that dili-

gently seek him" (Heb. 11:6).

True religion connects earth with

heaven. While having its feet firmly

planted on the ground, it will de-

liberately have its head and its

heart in heaven. We should there-

fore expect our religion to possess

a few "mysteries" that will bridge

the gulf between the human and

divine, earthly and heavenly, seen

and unseen, tangible and intangi-

ble, known and unknown, tem-

poral and eternal, until we can

truly say with Francis Thompson,

0 world invisible, we view

thee,

0 world intangible, we touch

thee,

0 world unknowable, we

know thee,

Inapprehensible, we clutch

thee!

In prayer and worship we already

have private and congregational

means of grace that enable us to

communicate with the super-

natural. In addition, we have bibli-

cal authority for more specialized

observances, which may be justly

r Seints

described as holy ordinances "in-

stituted by Christ, in which by sen-

sible signs the grace of God in

Christ, and the benefits of the cov-

enant of grace, are represented,

sealed, and applied to believers,

and these, in turn, give expression

to their faith and allegiance to

God."—Louis Berkhof,

Systematic

Theology

(Grand Rapids, Mich.:

William B. Eerdmans, 1938), p. 617.

The Seventh-day Adventist

Church recognizes two ordinances

that meet this definition—baptism

and the communion service. Each

of them was authorized by Christ.

Each is based on earthbound acts

that lift the participants into

heavenly associations and move

them toward eternal life. Each re-

veals a major incident in the life of

our Lord and invites the believer to

share in that experience with a

view to eventual union with the

Master.

Reverent observance of these

two Christian rituals will help us

regain our lost sense of awe--of

mystery—and will bring us closer

to "the high and lofty One that in-

habiteth eternity." For this we

need the exercise of faith, as stated

in our memory verse, and a sense

of the reality of God.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Patterns

(Ex. 12:26,

27)

Baptism—I

(Mark 1:4)

Baptism—II

(John

3:5)

The Last Supper

(Mark 14:16)

The Lord's Supper

(John 13:4, 5)

In Memoriam

(1 Cor. 11:23-29)

Symbols for Saints

LESSON 11



❑

Sunday

December 6



Part 1



The Old Testament is well supplied with advance views of

PATTERNS

God's solution to the problem of sin. From Genesis 3:15

through Genesis 4:3, 4; 8:20-22; 22:3-18 and onward, Scripture

gives partial revelations of the Lord's redemptive plans. In this

lesson we glimpse two of these illustrations.

What ceremony of remembrance, established in Israel

under the crisis of the Exodus from Egypt, pointed to the way

of salvation from sin and its penalty?

"It shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto

you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the

sacrifice of the Lord's passover, who passed over the houses

of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyp-

tians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the

head and worshipped" (Ex. 12:26, 27).

"The Passover was to be both commemorative and typical not

only pointing back to the deliverance from Egypt, but forward to

the greater deliverance which Christ was to accomplish in free-

ing His people from the bondage of sin. The sacrifical lamb

represents 'the Lamb of God,' in whom is our only hope of

salvation. Says the apostle, 'Christ our passover is sacrificed for

us.' 1 Corinthians 5:7. It was not enough that the paschal lamb

be slain; its blood must be sprinkled upon the doorposts; so the

merits of Christ's blood must be applied to the soul. We must

believe, not only that He died for the world, but that He died for

us individually. We must appropriate to ourselves the virtue of

the atoning sacrifice."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

p. 277.

What other Exodus events foreshadowed the New Testa-

ment ordinance of baptism? 1 Cor. 10:1-4.

Jewish Christians and first-century converts had little if any

difficulty in following parallels between ancient historical oc-

currences and Christian teachings. They readily saw the cross-

ing of the Red Sea, the protective pillars of cloud and fire, the

water-giving rock, and the earlier rite of circumcision as

foreshadowings of the later and loftier revelations centered on

Christ and illustrated in the ordinances of baptism and the

Lord's Supper.



THINK IT THROUGH



If the partial revelations given in Old Testament times sus-

tained the faithful for 40 centuries, how much,more should the

historic realities of Christ's ministries and the certainty of His

return and reign in eternal glory sustain us!



FURTHER STUDY



Patriarchs and Prophets,

pp. 273-280

Symbols for Saints

LESSON 11



❑

Monday

December 7



Part 2



In what form is the rite of baptism introduced into the New

BAPTISM—I Testament scene?

"John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism

of repentance for the remission of sins" (Mark 1:4).

Mark, as usual, is the most concise of the evangelists. Here he

records that John the Baptizer was baptizing in the wilderness,

that is, in the Jordan, after preaching in the barren territory

through which the river passed. He called his audiences to

confess and repent of their sins that they might find forgiveness.

Public baptism would proclaim their break with the past and the

new life that then began.

Baptism did not originate with John. It was already a Jewish

practice—a ceremonial washing by immersion—but without

the spiritual overtones that marked John's ministration. John's

call also had a still higher purpose—that of preparing his fol-

lowers for the appearance of the Messiah (verses 7, 8) and of

baptizing the Sinless One Himself (verse 9).

What trust did Jesus place upon His disciples immediately

before His ascension? Matt. 28:19, 20.

The disciples had already baptized those who were converted

by Christ's ministry (John 3:22 and 4:2); but now, possessing a

far deeper knowledge, they were given a much wider commis-

sion. Clothed with the Master's power over all things (Matt.

28:18), they were to go into all the world (Mark 16:15) and teach

(Matt. 28:19)—literally, "make disciples"

(Greekmath6teud,

not

didaskd,

"teach," as used in Matt. 28:20)—all nations. A basic

part of their evangelism was to baptize converts in the threefold

name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost and instruct them in all

that Christ had taught His apostles. Thus, from its beginning,

admission to membership in the Christian church included the

rite of baptism (compare Mark 16:16). The remainder of the New

Testament record shows that the apostles faithfully fulfilled

their Lord's command.

"Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Those

who are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son,

and the Holy Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life

declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan

and have become members of the royal family, children of the

heavenly

King."—Testimonies,

vol. 6, p. 91.



THINK IT THROUGH



How faithfully are we, as a church, fulfilling our Lord's

specific commands in our worldwide missionary work?



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 6, pp. 91-97

Symbols for Saints

LESSON 11



❑

Tuesday

December 8



Part 3



What connection did Jesus see between baptism and salva-

BAPTISM—II tion?

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a

man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the

kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

Jesus is here solemnly restating (note the repetition of "Ver-

ily, verily" from verse 3) the thought He had already expressed in

verse 3, namely, that the new birth is essential for all who would

see or enter the kingdom of God. He here reveals that the

experience must cover two distinct but closely related

stages—new birth by water baptism and new birth by the Holy

Spirit. The interlocking of the two is emphasized in the Greek by

the union of "water and spirit" in one phrase without any defi-

nite article for either noun. Christian teaching and experience

reveal that the Spirit's part in the new birth, and therefore in

salvation, must come before baptism to give the rite value and

must follow immersion in order to sustain its effect and bless-

ing.

What additional scriptural authority do we have for regard-

ing baptism as more than a picturesque ceremony? Rom.

6:3, 4.

The secular mind would see no more in baptism than an act of

purification. The informed Christian sees in the ordinance a

symbol of God's most mighty deed, which centered on the

death, burial, and resurrection of His Son. This makes the cere-

mony holy, clothing it with a spiritual meaning that goes beyond

the physical and visible act. It testifies that the participant has

died to the old life, that he has been buried, and that a new

person rises from the baptismal water to live a new life in union

with Christ.

"That the rite of Christian baptism is simply a symbol and

does not convey divine grace, is evident throughout the NT.

Unless a man believes in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:37; cf. Rom. 10:9)

and repents of sin (Acts 2:38; cf. ch. 19:18), baptism can be of no

value to him. In other words, there is no saving power in the rite

itself, apart from faith in the heart of the one receiving the rite.

From these considerations it is clear that infant baptism is a

meaningless procedure so far as the salvation of the child is

concerned. Baptism can become meaningful only when the

child is old enough to understand salvation, faith, and

repentance."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, p. 298.



THINK IT THROUGH



What is the memory of my own baptismal experience?



FURTHER STUDY



Col. 3:1-6 and Bible encyclopedias on "Baptism"

Symbols for Saints

LESSON 11



❑

Wednesday

December 9

Part 4

THE LAST

SUPPER

Immediately prior to Christ's passion, for which annual

ceremony did the disciples prepare? For what purpose?

"His disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found

as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover"

(Mark 14:16). (Read also verses 12, 13.)

For more than a thousand years, God's chosen people had

been celebrating their deliverance from Egyptian slavery and

keeping the Passover as the Lord had commanded. The heart of

the observance was the slain lamb, the use of its blood to

identify lsraelitish homes, and the eating of the roast flesh

immediately before flight from Egypt. (See Ex. 12:3-17.) Jesus

Himself must have shared in some 18 such anniversaries during

His human lifetime; and now, as faithful Jews, He and His disci-

ples prepared for what the Master alone knew would be His last

Passover supper. (For the chronology of this supper, see

S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, pp. 532-537.)

What application did Jesus make of the Passover meal?

Mark 14:22-25.

He who, on the eve of His Palestinian ministry, had been

introduced to His fellow countrymen as "the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), was about

to fulfill His mission. It was eminently fitting, then, that this

fulfillment should come at the time of the observance of the

type, the Passover. The tragedy was that its true significance did

not then dawn on His followers' minds. Only later did they see

that "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Cor. 5:7).

"Christ was standing at the point of transition between two

economies and their two great festivals. He, the spotless Lamb

of God, was about to present Himself as a sin offering, that He

would thus bring to an end the system of types and ceremonies

that for four thousand years had pointed to His death. As He ate

the Passover with His disciples, He instituted in its place the ser-

vice that was to be the memorial of His great sacrifice. The na-

tional festival of the Jews was to pass away forever. The service

which Christ established was to be observed by His followers in

all lands and through all ages. . . .

"It is the means by which his great work for us is to be kept

fresh in our minds."—The

Desire of Ages,

pp. 652, 653.



THINK IT THROUGH



Have we been delivered as effectively from the slavery of

sin as were the Israelites from Egyptian bondage?



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 652-661

Symbols for Saints

LESSON 11



❑

Thursday

December 10

Part 5

THE LORD'S

SUPPER

THINK IT THROUGH

What preparatory service had the Saviour instituted prior to

celebrating the last Passover with His disciples?

"He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and

took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water

into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to

wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded" (John

13:4, 5).

Blessing awaits those who meditate upon the service of foot

washing. The ceremony should be observed thoughtfully, re-

pentantly, humbly, sympathetically, lovingly, and in true frater-

nity of spirit. It should be observed with insight into our own and

our partner's needs, remembering the quality of love that Christ

brought into His own washing of His followers' feet. There is

more opportunity for blessing when observance takes place in

small groups unpressured by space and time, with each pair of

partners enjoying spiritual leisure to savor the uplift that comes

from bending low in loving service.

How did Jesus sanctify the bread and wine of the Passover

supper? Matt. 26: 26-29.

In chapter 72 of

The Desire of Ages,

pages 652-661, Ellen G.

White employs at least seven distinctive titles for the second

service held in the upper room. After reference to "two great

festivals" it is called "the memorial of His great sacrifice," "the

ordinance of the Lord's Supper," "the sacramental service,"

"the administration of the sacrament," "the communion ser-

vice," and "the holy communion."

The communion emblems received special attention from our

Lord. The bread He blessed and broke, distributing a portion to

each disciple; for the wine He gave thanks (Greek

eucharisted,

"to give thanks," whence the word

Eucharist);

and He passed

the cup around that each might drink from it. How precious

would be the apostles' remembrance of that holy occasion!

"These emblems [the bread and wine] Christ employs to rep-

resent His own unblemished sacrifice. Nothing corrupted by

fermentation, the symbol of sin and death, could represent the

'Lamb without blemish and without spot.'

"—The Desire of

Ages,

p. 653.

As we celebrate holy communion, how can we share in the

sense of grateful awe that came to the first participants as

they reviewed the experience?

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 642-651

Symbols for Saints

LESSON 11



❑

Friday

December 11

Part 6

IN MEMORIAM

Let us now reverently review the description of the Lord's

Supper as recorded by Paul in A.D. 57, about 26 years after the

Saviour introduced the service in Jerusalem (A.D. 31). 1 Cor.

11:23-29.

Paul's account was given in the setting of strife in Corinth

(1 Cor. 11:17-22). It represents his appeal to the church for unity

and

koinonia—"communion"

or "fellowship" (1 Cor. 10:16,17).

He was here recording what he had already given the

church verbally, namely, that which he had "received of the

Lord."



•

The setting for the most holy of all services was the night

Jesus was betrayed. The reaction to the sad fact would be a new

declaration of loyalty, a strengthening of unity among disciples.

Christ is calm against the background of His impending

cruel death. He gives thanks

(eucharisted)

for the bread which

takes the place of the Passover lamb, which is no longer needed

now that the antitype, the Lamb of God, is offering Himself for

the sins not only of Israel but of the whole world.

Christ breaks the bread, symbolizing the wounding of His

own body on the cross. As in the foot washing, so in the Supper

itself: the Master serves the servants. He distributes the emblem

of His bodily sacrifice, telling them that He is making the sac-

rifice for their sakes and bidding them continue the practice in

remembrance of His redemptive ministry. Could they ever

forget?

He then similarly serves the cup, that is, the wine in the

common cup, as the emblem of His blood, so soon to be spilled

on their behalf. He then reveals that it "is the new testament" or

the "new covenant" of Jeremiah 31:31-34 at last—after cen-

turies of the shedding of animal blood as a type—ratified by the

lifeblood of the Sinless Sacrifice. As with the bread, this shar-

ing, too, is to be repeated in remembrance of what He is about to

do.

The sharing of the bread and wine is to be more than a re-

freshing observance. It is to be a proclamation of His redeem-

ing death and of His intention to return and gather them into His

Father's kingdom (Matt. 26:29).

In one fleeting lesson we can only touch the fringes of mean-

ing found in this sacred service. Each celebration will, if we

earnestly request it, yield deeper, richer revelations of God's

love for us as shown in Christ Jesus our Lord.

THINK IT THROUGH



Why resolve never willingly to miss sharing in the regular

celebration of the Lord's Supper?

LESSON 12 December 13-19



Clfi WritteSS

"Ye are my witnesses, saith the

Lord, and my servant whom I have

chosen: that ye may know and be-

lieve me, and understand that I am

he: before me there was no God

formed, neither shall there be after

me" (Isa. 43:10).

The need for and the appoint-

ment of godly witnesses is as old

as Adam. After expulsion from

Eden he must have witnessed con-

tinually concerning his origin, the

sinless time spent in the garden,

his sin and its pardon, the promise

of a Redeemer made to Eve and

himself, and the early days outside

when they laid foundations for re-

ligious practices that kept open the

communication between them-

selves and their Creator.

Thereafter, all the patriarchs and

their successors witnessed to as-

pects of truth that had meaning for

their times. Noah spent 120 years

fulfilling his responsibility; Abra-

ham testified to his God with vary-

ing degrees of faith; Joseph did

noble work under extremely dif-

ficult conditions; Moses bore wit-

ness before Pharaoh and among

his own people for 40 trying years.

Then follows a mixture of men and

women who, in widely differing

ways, attested to the reality and

goodness of the Almighty—Ruth,

Elijah, Elisha, Naaman, Jonah,

Jeremiah, Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar,

and Malachi—last in the succession

of Old Testament prophets—and

John the Baptist, who witnessed to

Messiah Himself.

We might truly say, adapting Acts

14:17, that even in the darkest days

God has never left Himself without

witnesses to His power, His pur-

poses, and His love. For this we

should be truly grateful, for sad

would be the day if no voice

should testify to the One who up-

holds the universe.

The dynamic influence of the

Son made New Testament times

rich in bold and faithful witnesses

to the love of God in Christ, and in

the following 20 centuries the Lord

has never been without courage-

ous representatives. Now, prior to

His return, He needs a multitude

who will witness to His redemptive

power, both by word and by life,

that citizens for His kingdom might

be made ready for His coming.

It is our privilege to have the

royal words of our memory verse

spoken to us today!

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Essential Qualification

(Matt. 10:32)

The First Witnesses

(John 1:41)

Witnesses to Miracles

(Mark 5:19)

Secret of Witnessing

(2 Cor. 5:14)

How to Witness

(Matt. 5:16)

Christian Witness

(Acts 26:18)

Christian Witness

LESSON 12



❑

Sunday

December 13



Part 1



In His evangelistic instruction to the Twelve, what promise

ESSENTIAL did Jesus make to those who would publicly acknowledge Him

QUALIFICATION as Lord?

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him

will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven" (Matt.

10:32).

At first sight this might appear a commonplace statement—a

bargain struck between two parties: you speak up for me, and I

will speak up for you. But the setting for Christ's words forbids

such an easy analysis. He has commissioned His disciples

(verses 1-4) and instructed them in their mission (verses 5-15),

forewarned them of its often dangerous nature (verses 16-28),

and now acquaints them with a law. Their confession—their

public acknowledgement of Him as their Lord and Saviour—will

enable Him to acknowledge them as His own before His

heavenly Father. They will have declared themselves to be His

followers, His servants, His representatives; they will have suf-

fered for loyalty to His cause.

The day will come when Christ will be proud to testify in God's

presence that His disciples have been faithful ministers and are

worthy of being with Him eternally. But there are two sides to the

picture. Those who publicly deny Him cannot then expect Him

to claim them as His own, for He must be truthful and say, "I

never knew you: depart from me" (Matt. 7:23). Confession of or

witnessing to the lordship of Christ is therefore a matter of life

or death.

What was an essential qualification for apostleship? Luke

24:48; Acts 1:8, 21, 22.

Christ bequeathed to His disciples the task of continuing the

work that He had begun. They were to testify to the miracle of

the incarnation as "eyewitnesses of his majesty" (2 Peter 1:16),

observers of His sinless life, His sacrificial death, His triumphant

resurrection, and His glorious ascension. This was then their

lifelong calling. The New Testament shows how humbly willing

they were to accept this task as soon as the cloud had received

their beloved Master out of their sight (Acts 1:9; Luke 24:51-53).



THINK IT THROUGH



Try to grasp the splendor and awesomeness of the respon-

sibility that came to the disciples after the ascension.



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 27-34

Christian Witness

LESSON 12



❑

Monday

December 14

Part 2



After John the Baptist's testimony concerning the Lamb of

THE FIRST God (John 1:29), who first bore witness to Jesus as the Mes-

WITNESSES siah?

"He [Andrew] first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith

unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being inter-

preted, the Christ" (John 1:41).

The Baptist's inspired example in testifying to the divinity and

office of our Lord quickly bore fruit in the transfer of two of his

own disciples to the group that formed around the person of

Jesus of Nazareth. The two who left the Baptist to follow Jesus

were Andrew and John. The former became the first Christian

missionary as he testified, "We have found the Messias"—

which confident declaration has been termed, "this great

Eureka" (from the Greek

heurEkamen,

"we have found").

One day later, what further personal witness was given by

one who had already been directly recruited by Jesus? John

1:43-45.

The spiritual magnetism that flowed from Jesus fires Philip to

find Nathanael and to announce, "We have found him." But his

confidence seems to have fallen short of Andrew's. He does not

boldly announce the Messiah; rather, he contents himself by

referring to the One of whom Moses and the prophets had

written—"Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (verse 45)—

stressing the humanity rather than the divinity of the newfound

Leader. But the witness bore good fruit. After some hesitation,

Nathanael acknowledged the Man from Nazareth to be "the Son

of God" (verse 49). It would be unfair to expect a full under-

standing of Jesus' nature at a first meeting, but both Philip and

Nathanael made a commendable beginning, and both proved to

be faithful apostles. Such was the fruitage of this early personal

witness by one to another.

What effect did her discovery of Jesus have on the Samari-

tan woman at Sychar? John 4:28-30, 39-42.

THINK IT THROUGH

The woman had the greatest of blesgings in a long personal

interview with the Messiah. She immediately bore witness to the

Stranger, speaking with such fervor that many of her fellow

townspeople believed on Him, while others were convicted

"because of his own word" (John 4:41).

What is the common factor in these three witnessing

events? What can we learn from them concerning the science

of witnessing?

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 138-143, 191-195

Christian Witness

LESSON 12



❑

Tuesday

December 15

Part 3

WITNESS TO

MIRACLES

When the healed madman asked to remain with Christ, what

did Jesus tell him to do?

"Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go

home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord

hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee" (Mark

5:19).

Mark and Luke (Luke 8:27) mention one demoniac only, but

Matthew (Matt. 8:28) speaks of two. The three writers record the

request to remain with the Healer and that Christ gave the

commission, instead, to share news of the cure with friends.

"The two restored demoniacs were the first missionaries whom

Christ sent to preach the gospel in the region of Decapolis. For a

few moments only these men had been privileged to hear the

teachings of Christ. Not one sermon from His lips had ever fallen

upon their ears. . . . But they bore in their own persons the

evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. They could tell what they

knew; what they themselves had seen, and heard, and felt of the

power of Christ."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 340.

When the greatest of all miracles took place, how did those

who first learned of it respond?

The most notable proclaimers of the resurrection were the

following people:

Mary Magdalene (John 20:18)

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (Matt. 28:1, 7-10)

Peter (Luke 24:34)

Cleopas and friend at Emmaus (Luke 24:13, 33-35)

At first, there were mixed reactions to the amazing, unbeliev-

able news that the crucified Jesus had risen from His tomb; but

when Mary Magdalene personally met Him in the garden and

other meetings followed, doubt began to disappear. (See John

20:20.)

Ere long, the once-frightened group, empowered by the

Spirit, gave bold witness to the truth of the resurrection. Peter

first proclaimed it at Pentecost, others followed, and Saul, hav-

ing met the Resurrected One, preached that "he is the Son of

God" (Acts 9:20). And so it has ever been—those who have

experienced the truth of the resurrection have vigorously

witnessed to its reality and its redeeming power.



THINK IT THROUGH



Have we personally experienced spiritual renewal by an

abiding belief in the power of the resurrection?



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 60-69

100

Christian Witness

LESSON 12



❑

Wednesday

December 16



Part 4



What was the driving power behind Paul's tireless witness?

SECRET OF



WITNESSING



"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus

judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead" (2 Cor. 5:14).

A moment's thought reveals two possible interpretations of

the phrase "the love of Christ"—it refers either to the love which

Christ has for us, or the love which we have for Christ, or both

meanings are valid. But the significance of these few words is

best discovered in the context of this well-known verse, and for

that one needs to pick up the thread of thought in 2 Corinthians

4:1.

Paul has received a commission (compare Acts 9:15, 16),

which he fulfills by openly sharing the light of the glorious

gospel of Christ (2 Cor. 4:2, 4) which had illumined his own life

(verses 5, 6). Such sharing was only done at great personal cost

(verses 8-12), but he willingly paid the price because he knew

the value of the eternal in contrast to the temporal (verses

16-18). Knowledge that all must appear in judgment (2 Cor. 5:10)

drives him to address his appeal to all men (verse 11). Indeed,

the love of Christ and the knowledge that He died for all "leaves

us no choice" (verse 14, NEB). Those who share this knowledge

should no longer live for themselves, but for Christ, who died

and rose again (verse 15).

The climax to this close-knit reasoning is reached in verses

18-21, where Paul shares with the Corinthians and with us his

understanding of the redeeming love of God revealed in Christ's

ministry. It is this that impels Paul's own evangelistic witness.

We, in turn, shall only be fired for similar witness when a similar

love possesses us. Therein lies the secret of genuine

evangelism. When we find it, we shall say, with Peter and John,

"We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and

heard" (Acts 4:20). "No sooner is one converted than there is

born within him a desire to make known to others what a pre-

cious friend he has found in Jesus. The saving and sanctifying

truth cannot be shut up in his heart. . . .

"Men may combat and defy our logic, they may resist our

appeals; but a life of disinterested love is an argument they

cannot gainsay."—The

Desire of Ages,

pp. 141, 142.



THINK IT THROUGH



How can we overcome the staleness that creeps through

our understanding of what God has done for us in His Son?



FURTHER STUDY



Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol. 6,

pp. 1100-1102

101

Christian Witness

LESSON 12



❑

Thursday

December 17

Part 5

HOW TO

WITNESS

What did Jesus recommend as an effective and essential

way of witnessing, and to what purpose?

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your

good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt.

5:16).

This counsel arises from the giving of the Beatitudes (verses

1-12) and the observation that true Christians are the salt and

the light of the world (verses 13-15). But even the brightest of

lights is useless unless its beams are allowed to illumine its

surroundings. Jesus is thus exhorting us so to live the truly

godly life that our conduct, especially "our good works," will

bring glory to God. The persuasive power of the dedicated life

that leads others to follow the same Lord brings our Father the

greatest glory of all, for it increases the number of those who

adore and serve Him.

"Let us remember that a Christlike life is the most powerful

argument that can be advanced in favor of Christianity, and that

a cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than

the character of a worldling. Not all the books written can serve

the purpose of a holy life. Men will believe, not what the minister

preaches, but what the church

lives."—Testimonies,

vol. 9, p.

In addition to the living of godly lives, what worldwide form

of witness are Christians called to render? Mark 16:15.

It was by scattering that the gospel was first carried beyond

the boundry of Jerusalem, and it is by this same law that the

gospel will be spread today. The quality of believers' lives is a

first means of sharing the good news; but if no other steps are

taken, we shall not be fulfilling the divine command. We must

"go . . . into all the world, and preach the gospel to every

creature," either by personal service beyond our local setting or

by sending others who are able to go where we cannot. "All who

are ordained unto the life of Christ are ordained to work for the

salvation of their fellow men. The same longing of soul that He

felt for the saving of the lost is to be manifest in them. . . . All

upon whom God's blessings have been bestowed are to re-

spond by actual service; every gift is to be employed for the

advancement of His kingdom."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 16.



THINK IT THROUGH



How am I going into all the world and preaching the gospel

to every creature?



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 9, pp. 19-23

102

Christian Witness

LESSON 12



❑

Friday

December 18



Part 6



For what comprehensive purpose did the Lord personally

CHRISTIAN call Saul of Tarsus to be His witness?

WITNESS

"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light,

and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive

forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are

sanctified by faith that is in me" (Acts 26:18).

The real meaning of this verse is best grasped by reading

verses 16 and 17, which show that Christ appeared to Saul to

make him "a minister and a witness" to the Gentiles for their

eternal salvation. This purpose is not restricted to the dramatic

call that came to Saul, for "every true disciple is born ihto the

kingdom of God as a missionary."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 195.

We, therefore, can be witnesses who will open eyes that are

spiritually blind, turning them from the darkness of unbelief to

the light of the gospel, from bondage to Satan to freedom in

God. Such witness is able first to bring our friends pardon from

sin and holiness of life, then a place in the kingdom of God.

"You are not to wait for great occasions or to expect extraor-

dinary abilities before you go to work for God. You need not

have a thought of what the world will think of you. If your daily

life is a testimony to the purity and sincerity of your faith, and

others are convinced that you desire to benefit them, your

efforts will not be wholly lost."—Steps

to Christ,

p. 83.

What twofold result will flow from our fulfillment of the high

calling given us by God? 1 Peter 2:9-12.

Those whom God has chosen to be His own people and who

have themselves responded to that choice will (1) display in

their own characters the virtues of the One who has called them

out of spiritual darkness (verse 9) and (2) find that nonbelievers

observing Christians' faithful adherence to their declared prin-

ciples (verse 11) will themselves be led to glorify God (verse 12).

Witness that bears such welcome fruitage must be of a high

order. It is possible for all who faithfully fulfill that high calling

by living Christlike lives.

The picture painted by Peter is really a portrait of the Christian

that should be produced by daily adherence to the total body of

doctrine. Unless profession of belief results in such a life, that

profession will not lead to salvation. This is in no sense salvation

by works—it concerns the presence or absence of fruitage from

our beliefs.



THINK IT THROUGH



How can I and my fellow Sabbath School class members

fulfill God's purpose in calling us to be His people?



FURTHER STUDY



The Ministry of Healing,

pp. 150-154

103

LESSON 13 December 20-26

ino'rho ILO

Couctz

"Grow in grace, and in the knowl-

edge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus

Christ. To him be glory both now

and for ever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).

What more bitter disappointment

can there be for any parents than

to see their newborn babe, perfect

in feature and form, apparently

possessing every faculty, and then

to see him fail to respond in nor-

mal growth? What a parental

tragedy is that!

Yet our divine Parent must often

face such disappointment in His

earthly children. He sees them

born, baptized, and taking their

first spiritual steps; then they stag-

nate, standing still. Although going

through the motions of life, they

remain stunted. In respect to reli-

gious growth, they are no more

than undeveloped infants.

Not one of us has reached his

possible spiritual potential.. The

best of us must be pygmies in con-

trast to the giants we might be. But

God loves us still!

The apostle Peter gives us the

counsel we all need, in the last of

his words that have been preserved

for us. He exhorts us to

grow,

and

that is the theme that undergirds

this study at the close of two quar-

ter's lessons. He who does not

grow is on his way to death. He

who continues to grow has pros-

pects for eternal life.

Peter's advice is couched in-

words that bid us to keep on grow-

ing, never satisfied with past prog-

ress, always developing our

spiritual powers. We are to grow

not only in an understanding of the

principal doctrines of our Christian

faith, but, specifically, to keep on

growing in

grace.

This is primarily a

divine attribute, "the grace of

God" that makes salvation possi-

ble; but it is also a quality we can

acquire as we develop spiritually.

We are also to grow in

knowledge,

particularly in knowing our Lord.

Such knowledge must come not

only from books or from others,

but from a personal acquaintance

with the Redeemer, with each day

adding to our experience of His

perfect nature and His transform-

ing power in our own lives.

Growth in these two areas must be

continual. Then we shall be num-

bered among those who give to

the Saviour "glory both now and

for ever."

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Our Inner Life

(Isa. 26:3)

Our Aspiring Life

(Matt.

5:6)

Our Family Life

(Matt. 6:11)

Our Social Life

(Col. 3:9, 10)

Our Quality of Life

(Col. 3:12, 13)

Our Eternal Life

(Matt. 16:24)

The Life That Counts

LESSON 13



❑

Sunday

December 20

Part 1

OUR INNER

LIFE

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

106

How may we obtain the peace of mind so much sought after

in these troubled days?

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed

on thee: because he trusteth in thee" (Isa. 26:3).

The prophet proposes two steps to serenity—first, staying,

fixing, or reposing the mind on the Eternal; second, trusting in

the Lord. He who takes these steps is assured of mental and

spiritual peace. He is encouraged (verse 4) to trust in the Lord at

all times because the Eternal is the Rock of Ages and well able to

bring peace of mind to those who commit their ways to Him. The

New Testament version of this promise can be found in Philip-

pians 4:6, 7.

Brother Lawrence, a remarkable lay brother who joined a

religious community in Paris in 1666, described Isaiah's

program as "The Practice of the Presence of God." "The time of

business," said he, "does not with me differ from the time of

prayer; and in the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several

persons are at the same time calling for different things, I pos-

sess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the

Blessed Sacrament."—The

Practice of the Presence of God,

1977 ed. (London: Mowbrays), p. 23.

By what means does God intend that we may renew our

physical and spiritual strength? Isa. 40:31.

This counsel must be tried to be trusted. Those who have

waited on the Lord in prayer have found new reserves of

strength that have hitherto been unsuspected. They have risen

from their knees refreshed and have been able to do exploits

that were earlier considered impossible. This "practice" is not

acquired in a day. It is realized only after persistent observance.

But a host of Christians will testify to its reality and reliability,

and we can join their ranks by following their example.

"All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for

communion with their own hearts, with nature, and with God....

When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait

before him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice

of God. He bids us, 'Be still, and know that I am God.' ... This is

the effectual preparation for all labor for God. Amidst the hurry-

ing throng, and the strain of life's intense activities, he who is

thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light

and peace."—The

Ministry of Healing,

p. 58.

During a normal working day, how often do I "wait upon the

Lord"?

Steps to Christ,

"The Privilege of Prayer," pp. 93-104

The Life That Counts

LESSON 13



❑

Monday

December 21

Part 2

OUR ASPIRING

LIFE

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

What benediction does the Saviour pronounce upon those

who cherish high spiritual goals?

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righ-

teousness: for they shall be filled" (Matt. 5:6).

Blessed are those who feel hungry and thirsty for the right, for

they shall be satisfied. Those spoken of in this beatitude must

have a finely honed conscience that leads them to want that

righteousness or justice, or what is right. This is not often a

comfortable doctrine. It is easier to eat and drink the world's

fare than to aspire to the finer heavenly diet. But it is possible to

develop an appetite for whatsoever things are true, honest, just,

pure, lovely, and of good report (Phil. 4:8). Much depends on the

food which we feed our souls. If physical diet affects our

spiritual appetites—and it does—our mental food has an even

greater effect on our spiritual health. We must set our affections

"on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2). And in

the matter of "happiness," or "blessedness," it is well to re-

member this truth: "Happiness is not, essentially, something we

have, but something we are, though we become what we are by

doing."—Gerald Vann,

The Divine Pity

(New York: Fontana

Books, 1962), p. 94.

In the light of His faultless knowledge, what counsel on

"first things" does Jesus give His followers? Matt. 6:33.

For most of us this is a hard doctrine, for "the things which are

seen" so easily claim our attention and affection; the unseen

seems so far away and easy to neglect. But herein lies the heart

of the Christian philosophy of life—the seen is temporal be-

cause "the world passeth away, and the lust thereof"; the un-

seen is eternal, and "he that doeth the will of God abideth for

ever" (1 John 2:17). Christ does not ignore everyday needs, but

He assigns them their rightful place while the Christian seeks

first

the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And this, when

we pause to think it through, leaves no area of our lives un-

touched.

"Those who are willing to make any sacrifice for eternal life,

will have it; and it will be worth suffering for, worth crucifying

self for, and sacrificing every idol for. The far more exceeding

and eternal weight of glory swallows up everything and eclipses

every earthly

pleasure."—Testimonies, vol.

1, p. 126.

What does my present daily program reveal about my

spiritual interests? Are they temporal, or eternal? Where does

God and His concept of right stand in my list?

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

"The Beatitudes"

(Matt. 5:13), pp. 34-38

107

The Life That Counts

LESSON 13



❑

Tuesday

December 22



Part 3



Today's study embraces us all, married and single, for we all

OUR FAMILY

have family ties, distant though some of them may seem to be.

LIFE

We all have had a father and mother; we all are children, grow-

ing or grown. And if we now stand without immediate close

family connections, we create our own familial world for domes-

tic purposes and in addition rub shoulders with other family

units. How, then, shall we order this daily responsibility of family

living?

What is the first request framed for us in our Lord's "family"

prayer?

"Give us this day our daily bread" (Matt. 6:11).

It is by no accident that these familiar words find their place

early in our Master's model prayer. Just before them, He gives

the petition that God's will should be done on earth as it is done

in heaven (verse 10). Then He follows them with the request for

pardon in respect to neighborly relations (verse 12). The prime

reference in verse 11, then, is to spiritual food, and that on a

daily basis. Since we do not go to church each day, this calls for

taking that food at home; and this calls for "family" worship,

with father, mother, and children if that is how we live, or by

ourselves if our family unit has been dispersed by time or cir-

cumstance or if we otherwise live alone.

It is hardly possible to overstress the importance of family

worship in our daily spiritual life. There can be only one com-

petitor for first place there, namely, the personal devotions of

each member of the family. After that, family worship holds the

central position. Its faithful observance, morning and evening,

keeps the parents in daily touch with the Infinite and opens the

children's hearts to the converting influence of the Holy Spirit.

What should be the holy ambition of each Christian parent?

Eph. 6:4.

After the very necessary negative admonition against goad-

ing children to resentment by harsh discipline, Paul offers par-

ents this positive counsel: "Give them the instruction, and the

correction, which belong to a Christian upbringing" (Eph. 6:4,

NEB). Happy the family where this advice is followed!



THINK IT THROUGH



What is our experience in family worship? How can we

improve its quality? What suggestions for worship at home

can we share with our fellow class members?



FURTHER STUDY



The Ministry of Healing,

pp. 392-394

108

The Life That Counts

LESSON 13



❑

Wednesday

December 23



Part 4



What standard of honesty is expected of Christians?

OUR SOCIAL



LIFE



"Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old

man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is

renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created

him" (Col. 3:9, 10).

Christian doctrine holds before its followers an extremely

high moral and social standard that comes from the character

of Christ, who is truth personified. If we then "be risen with

Christ" (verse 1), we shall not wish to lie "one to another," for

such conduct is alien to the new men and women who are ever

gaining a fresh personal knowledge of Christ until they them-

selves take on their Creator's image.

How will our new life affect our social relations, and how

shall we find the spiritual resources to achieve the Christian

ideal? Col. 3:11-13.

In verse 11 Paul is swiftly covering the population of the world

in which the early Christians lived. By "Greek" he refers to

non-Jews from a national-political point of view, as distinct from

the chosen people. "Circumcision" and "uncircumcision"

cares for religious differences; "Barbarian" cares for linguistic

distinctions; "Scythian" covers those outside the bounds of

civilization. Having thus dealt with various classes into which

the human family was then divided, he formulates the Christian

response to these sin-induced divisions—"Christ is all, and in

all," that is, Christ identifies Himself with each and all of these

sections of human society. It is now for us to apply this undi-

luted Christian approach to our present world situation. This is

not easy. Some find it the hardest test of their religious sincerity.

We all need the fine qualities listed in verses 12 and 13 in order

to reach the ideal conduct.

"Christ recognized no distinction of nationality or rank or

creed.... [He] came to break down every wall of partition....

"The life of Christ established a religion in which there is no

caste, a religion by which Jew and Gentile, free and bond, are

linked in a common brotherhood, equal before God. No ques-

tion of policy influenced His movements."—Gospel

Workers,

46.



THINK IT THROUGH



Where shall we find the love and grace that are needed to

translate into practice the Christian ideals presented in to-

day's lesson?



FURTHER STUDY



John Oxenham's hymn, "In Christ There Is No East nor West,"

The Church Hymnal,

no. 436

109

The Life That Counts

LESSON 13



❑

Thursday

December 24

Part 5

OUR QUALITY

OF LIFE

In view of the high standard required of Christians in all

aspects of daily life, what Christlike qualities should we delib-

erately cultivate?

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,

longsuffering; forebearing one another, and forgiving one

another" (Col. 3:12, 13).

Here we again meet the biblical picture of clothing ourselves

with clean garments. (Compare Isa. 52:1; 61:10; Matt. 22:11-14.)

But we must also heed the counsel not to use high-flown senti

ments as a cloak to disguise our true natures (John 15:22;

1 Thess. 2:5; 1 Peter 2:16). We are to be genuine, "the elect of i

God, holy and beloved." We are to possess compassionate

hearts, a hard-hearted Christian being an impossible kind of

creature. As John Ruysbroek, the fourteenth-century Flemish

mystic, has said: "Be kind, be kind, and you will be saints." That

is not the whole truth, for sainthood requires much more than

kindness;

but

saints must be kind! They must also be humble,

meek, patient, tolerant of others' weaknesses, and ready to

forgive. As always, Christ is the model.

To which three virtues does Paul give exceptional em-

phasis? Col. 3:14, 15.

Beyond dispute, first place is ever reserved for "charity," or

love. Without it other spiritual qualities are of little avail (com-

pare 1 Cor. 13:13), for it binds all other good qualities together.

We should also allow the peace of

Christ

(better supported than

"of God") to reign in our hearts and exert its unifying influence

in our relations, and we should always be a grateful people.

How may we attain these high standards? Col. 3:16, 17.

These suggestions are closely associated with worship, both

formal and otherwise. We should so study Christ's Word that it

will make its

home in our hearts; we should wisely teach and;

counsel one another; we should sing psalms (might we do more \

of this?), hymns, and sacred songs, not merely with our lips, but

also in our hearts, as expressions of gratitude to the Father sung

in Christ's name. What a stimulating program! But how easy to

forget.



THINK IT THROUGH



In what ways do our doctrinal beliefs enrich the quality of

our daily spiritual lives?



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 8, pp. 312-318

110

The Life That Counts

LESSON 13



❑

Friday

December 25



Part 6



Contemplate Jesus' summary of the cost of discipleship.

OUR ETERNAL



LIFE



"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come

after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and

follow me" (Matt. 16:24).

True Christianity is not a matter of assent to a set of doctrinal

statements, though these are necessary in order to formulate

belief. True Christianity, as its name implies, is Christ's way of

life, a matter of Christlikeness, of bringing together those who

reach out to be like their Master. The way is one of self-denial,

not as a punishing exercise for gathering merit, but as an imita-

tion of the example of the Lord who, "though he was rich, ...

became poor" (2 Cor. 8:9). Just as Jesus did not allow earthly

considerations to interfere with the fulfillment of His mission, so

he who follows Him must be willing to "deny himself, and take

up his cross," whatever form that cross may take.

There are good reasons for this hard condition to discipleship

(Matt. 16:25). It we expend our energies in "saving" our lives, we

shall lose them, for true eternal life will slip from our grasp. If we

are willing to renounce our own interests in order to promote

those of Christ's cause and to follow Christ's example, denying

ourselves as He did, then we shall find eternal life. Since eternal

life is the farthest boundary beyond which none can pass, it is

worthy of our most severe self-discipline, most dedicated ser-

vice, deepest trust, and highest aspirations.

Since personal experience, human history, and biblical

revelation show that we can in no wise save ourselves, to

whom can we turn for salvation? Jude 24 and 25.

We bring our 26 weeks of doctrinal study to a close by humbly

and gratefully addressing a reverent doxology to the One to

whom all doctrine should point—the Eternal Father, with the

Son and the Holy Spirit. He and He alone has power to keep us

from stumbling into sin, enabling us to stand not only faultless

but blameless and exultingly happy in His presence. To Him,

then, the only God who has saved us through our Lord Jesus

Christ—to this one God be there ascribed glory, majesty, power,

and authority in the past and through eternity. And may this

praise be rendered by us as faithful members of the Seventh-day

Adventist Church, in company with all the innumerable host of

the redeemed, forever and ever. Amen.



THINK IT THROUGH



In which areas of Christian belief do I need to strengthen my

knowledge and my practice?



FURTHER STUDY



The Ministry of Healing,

pp. 503-508

111

Lemons

slob

atiST

IC62

Sabbath School members who have not received a copy of the Adult Lessons for the

first quarter of 1982 will be helped by the following outline in studying the first two

lessons. The title of the series is LAW, LOVE, AND LIFE.

First Lesson

LOVE, THE SUPREME MOTIVE. Memory Text, 1 Cor. 13:4-7

What Love Is (1 Cor. 13:4, 6, 7)

What Love Is Not (1 Cor. 13:4-6)

When There Is No Love (1 Cor. 13:1-3)

True Love Is Timeless (1 Cor. 13:8)

Perfect Love (1 Cor. 13:9-12)

Faith, Hope, and Love (1 Cor. 13:13)

Second Lesson

CONSCIENCE AND THE SPIRIT. Memory Text, Isa. 30:21

1. The Inner Voice (Isa. 30:21)

2. "Voice" of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8)

3. Gift to All (Rom. 2:14, 15)

4. Good and Weak Consciences (1 Tim. 1:5)

5. Can Be Put Away (1 Tim. 1:19)

6. The Unpardonable Sin (Luke 12:10)

Lessons in Braille

The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each month in

Braille and 16

rpm records to blind and physically handicapped persons

who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because of

arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth,

cannot hold or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian

Record Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.

112

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BRITISH

UNION

Denmark

Amsterdam

ERLANDS

UNION

Unions

Population

Churches

Church

Members

S.S.

Members

British

60,126,811

162

14,204

12,143

Finland

4,743,160

5,921

4,744

•

Iceland

220.918

540

407

Netherlands

14,000,000

3,893

3,049

Polish

35,000,000

121

4,084

4,676

Swedish

8,433,000

3,655

4,241

West Nordic

9,253,429

128

9.181

7.815

DIVISION TOTALS

131,777,318

575

41,478

37,075

'Attached Field

Figures as of March 31. 1980